09:00 Munz evaluates prisoner exchange: "Everyone has seen: Germany is blackmailable"
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin is a "tough nut" for the US's allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden says. Especially Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable." A plane carrying released US citizens landed in the US overnight (local time). Another 13 people, including several Germans, landed in Cologne overnight. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia suspected of espionage.
08:04 Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedLooking at the prisoner exchange, Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted, believes analyst Tom Nichols. The US political scientist says on CNN that the Kremlin sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and putting them on a scale like meat pieces until they get the kind of deal they want," Nichols believes. Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were caught and that they are valuable to him, the Russia expert believes.
07:26 Stationing of Long-Range Missiles Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionEspecially from the SPD, there is criticism that the planned relocation of long-range US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary. The Scientific Service of the Bundestag comes to this conclusion. The planned stationing should "take place within the NATO alliance framework," it says in a current briefing. The legal basis should be, among other things, the NATO treaty and the Agreement on the Status of Forces, which regulates the legal status of foreign armed forces in Germany. In July, the US government and the German government announced that the US wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and in 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"US President Biden 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 citizens on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, explains, "It's an incredible day" - you can see that in the tears of joy from family members. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary demonstration of how important it is to have a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
06:00 Harris Praises Bravery of Freed American US Vice President Kamala Harris praised the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner swap. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza had shown "incredible bravery" after being unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris Welcome Freed Americans and Families Three Americans freed in a prisoner swap were greeted by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon landing 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 here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Arrive in US Three Americans freed in a prisoner swap involving Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly 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 early Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near Washington DC late Thursday night (local time) after over nine hours in the air, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine War US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between negotiations over detainees and potential diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Russia-attacked country. "In our view, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if successful negotiations could also promote talks with the Ukrainians about the war situation.
03:05 Russian-Appointed Governor: Drone Fragments Hit Crimea Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, said 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 wrote on the Telegram platform that there were no injuries. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Only Partially Functional in Russia Complaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only partially functional. Several media outlets reported outages and cited the service "Sboj.RF," which tracks disruptions on websites. According to the service, complaints have been reported mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also from other parts of the country. Russia had already blocked large social networks like X and Facebook, which can only be accessed via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged prisoners arrived safelyChancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a majority of the German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," said the SPD politician shortly after midnight at the airport. He had extensive conversations with the arrivals. "That was very moving," said Scholz. "Many did not expect this to happen now." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes coming from Ankara landed late in the evening in Cologne-Bonn. On board were approximately 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 on camera every day, work that is not read about in newspapers," said his spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin deals 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 ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German prisoners land in CologneAfter the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes with released prisoners landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had also landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Among the released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Minister of Justice on prisoner deal: "In doubt, for freedom"Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann described the release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov from German custody as a bitter concession in the context of the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to have a new life in freedom, explained the FDP politician. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny did: death in arbitrary, inhuman treatment." Buschmann referred to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Minister of Justice, the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him.
22:13 Putin personally receives released RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians released from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin chief Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in television images released by the Kremlin. Also present were Russian security chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You are home, you are in the motherland," Putin greeted the released prisoners and announced that they would be nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released prisoners. Among those released was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Nawalny's WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, U.S. 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 Navalnaya's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish. Harris highlighted Navalnaya's and her late husband's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures as "great joy." Every release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "Putin's hostage" and suffer and die in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16sThe Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted its first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is believed these were only 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.
Catch up on earlier developments here.
08:06 Analyst Suggests Military Operations Could Be Impacted In light of the prisoner exchange, Tom Nichols, the Russian analyst, suggests that future military operations or interactions could potentially be impacted, as Putin's government may see individuals as bargaining chips in future negotiations.
07:27 Critics Express Concerns Over Military Implications With the plans to relocate long-range US weapons to Germany, there are growing concerns from certain political factions about the potential military implications, especially regarding escalation with Russia.
