07:26 Missile deployment can be done without a decision of the Bundestag
Mainly from the SPD, there is criticism that the planned relocation of extensive US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment should take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance system", it says in a current briefing. The legal basis should be, among other things, the NATO treaty and the residence agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US government and the federal government announced that the USA wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to an escalation with Russia. However, the former SPD chairman, Norbert Walter-Borjans, said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and the Bundestag. Also, the deputy chairman of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul, called for a debate on this in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden visibly moved: "It's a wonderful feeling"The US president appears visibly moved upon the arrival of released prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow Americans on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, explains, "It's an incredible day" - one can see that in the tears of joy of the families. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy".**
06:00 Harris praises courage of released AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner exchange. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza have shown "incredible courage" after being unlawfully detained in Russia.**
05:55 Biden, Harris, and families welcome released AmericansThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange were welcomed by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at a US air force base. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. Read more about this here.**
05:50 Three released Americans arrive in the USThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have arrived in the US. The plane suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan landed at a US air force base in the early hours of Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews, near the US capital Washington, late on Thursday evening (local time) after more than nine hours in the air, US media reported.**
04:41 US Adviser: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarU.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between the negotiations over detainees and potential diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia. "In our view, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if the successful negotiations could also promote talks about the war situation with the Ukrainians.
03:05 Russian Governor: Drone Fragments Hit CrimeaMikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, reports that fragments of at least four drones hit areas of the port of Sevastopol early Friday morning. The drones were previously shot down by Russian air defense. Razvozhayev writes on the Telegram platform that there are no injuries. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning Limited in RussiaComplaints are increasing in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning partially. Several media outlets reported outages and referred to the service "Sboj.RF," which records reports of disruptions on websites. According to this, complaints have been reported mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also from other parts of the country. Russia has already blocked large social networks like X and Facebook, which can only be used via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged Prisoners Arrive SafelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a large number of German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," the SPD politician said shortly after midnight at the airport. He had spoken at length with the arrivals. "That was very moving," Scholz said. "Many did not expect this to happen now." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes from Ankara landed in Cologne-Bonn late in the evening. On board were said to be about a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin Spokesman: Putin Daily Involved in Ukraine WarKremlin chief Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military on the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that is not seen every day on camera, work that is not written about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin is said to deal with the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is called in Kremlin terminology, every day of the week. He also frequently telephones front commanders and simple soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
22:44 Federal Justice Minister on Prisoner Deal: "In Doubt, for Freedom"Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann describes the release of convicted Russian murderer Wadim Krassikow from German custody as a bitter concession in the context of a prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explains. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in inhumane and arbitrary conditions." Buschmann is referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Justice Minister, he considers the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" to be decisive.
22:13 Putin Welcomes Released Russians PersonallyVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians released from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard stood in formation, as shown in TV footage released by the Kremlin. Also present were Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You are home, you are in your homeland," Putin greeted the released prisoners and announced that they would be proposed for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released prisoners. Among them was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Wadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Navalny WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on X. Harris highlighted Navalnaya's and her late husband's efforts for a "democratic Russia," the spokeswoman explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as "great joy." Every release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate." No one should be "Putin's hostage" and suffer torture and die in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16sThe Ukrainian air force is reported to have already conducted the first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is believed that these were only used for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developments here.
The President of the Council, Norbert Walter-Borjans, advocated for a discussion within the SPD and the Bundestag about the planned relocation of US weapons to Germany. In a different context, the US President and his team welcomed released prisoners from Russia, praising their courage and expressing joy upon their safe return. [06:36 Biden visibly moved: "It's a wonderful feeling"]
