If Russia is halted in Ukraine and eventually repulsed, at the least there will be internal conflicts in Russia, at the most Russia could experience a regime change. Russia may also find it more difficult to expand into the Sahel and other regions of Africa, as anti-Western regimes may be less likely to trust Russian forces, such as PMC Wagner, with their security. A defeat for Russia in Ukraine means a defeat for Russia worldwide, and likewise for France. If the West fails in repulsing Russia from Eastern Ukraine, anti-French forces in the Sahel and elsewhere may become emboldened to break away from Paris.

France has been the black sheep of Europe since the end of the Second World War. It has often chafed under the Anglo-dominated liberal world order, seeking still to assert itself as a global power. At this current time, France will need to find a way to bring the other powerful European states, most importantly Germany and Poland, in line with its vision of Strategic Autonomy. If it can successfully do so, and if the United States fully commits to its Asian pivot, likely under a future Trump administration, the Macronian vision of a Europe led by France may in fact become a reality, and with it one of the largest geopolitical developments of the 21st century.

🇷🇺 - 41% of the eligible population has voted in the General Elections, (as of 2pm Moscow time, Day 2, of 3).

Four polling stations were attacked with drone strikes in the Russian-held Kherson region.

Three of the four new territories have had incredible turnouts so far, Kherson (69%), Donetsk (69%), Zaporozhye (56%). Lugansk region has seen a lower turnout (36%).

62,000 Russians from 41 countries abroad have voted so far.

🇷🇺 - "I am confident that our people, the people of Russia, will respond to this with even greater unity," – Vladimir Putin, referring to Western and Ukrainian interference, online and physical (through military raids).

🇷🇺⚡- Sirens and drone strikes heard across the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

🇺🇸🐘 - RNC backtracks on its plans to kill minority outreach efforts after media backlash.

🇺🇸⚡️- The House Oversight Committee has alleged that X is providing "premium services" to terrorist organizations.

🇫🇷🇺🇦🇷🇺⚡️ - France says will offer an olympics ceasefire to Russia.

🇳🇪🇺🇸⚡️ - Niger ends all military agreements with the United States - whose military is asked to leave the Sahel region.

🇺🇦🇷🇺⚡- Ukraine order mass evacuations in the Oskil river area.

🇺🇦🇷🇺⚡- Ukrainian forces have attacked, with several drone strikes, the Slavyansk-on-Kuban oil refinery, in Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

This will mark the 6th Russian oil refinery and depot destroyed by Ukraine in just the past 7 days.

🇮🇱🇱🇧⚡️- Israeli raids on Marwahin and Aita al-Shaab, southern Lebanon.

🇱🇾⚡- "Our political patience is running out, we are ready for decisive action," – Commander of the Libyan Armed Forces, Khalifa Haftar, on uniting the country.

🇷🇺 - By 2pm Moscow time, on the final day of the General Elections, the national turnout reached 66%. There are 6 hours still to go.

The highest turnout by region, so far, is in Chechnya (93.2%).

29 people have been arrested for vandalism, ranging from arson attacks to pouring ink down ballot boxes.

The Russian embassy in Moldova, where voting took part, was attacked with two Molotov cocktails.

125,428 Russians abroad voted – Foreign Ministry of Russia, Maria Zakharova.

Early exit polls have Vladimir Putin winning at 80%.

🇷🇺⚡- The pro-Ukrainian Freedom of Russia Legion has temporarily captured Gorkovskii, in Belgorod, Russia – confirmed by both sides.

Russian sources claim many casualties on both sides.

🇷🇺⚡- A Ukrainian helicopter with 20 Freedom of Russia Legion fighters was shot down in the Sumy region of Ukraine. All on board have been killed – Belgorod region authorities.

🇺🇸🦁⚡️- President Trump has pledged to place a 100% tariff on automobile imports, stating that if he doesn't get elected it will be a "bloodbath" for the country.

🇲🇩🇺🇦⚔️🇷🇺⚡️- Transnistria military unit attacked, explosion reported.

🇲🇩🇺🇦⚔️🇷🇺⚡️- "Moldovan legion" behind the attack - Ukrainian channels.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 - After walking one mile into the abandoned town of Gorkovskii the Russian legion withdrew back into Ukraine after planting their flag.

🇲🇩🇷🇺⚡- Meeting going on between Transnistria's ministry of state security and Russia's FSB - pro-UA TG channel

🇺🇸🦁⚡️- This bloodbath in automobile industry scandal is really bad for the Democrats, as it makes Trump look good on trade, which is exactly how he won the Rust belt in 2016.