10:04 Hunter: "Back in a time when Russia is holding hostages"
In the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow frees a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as incentivizing the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West must accept, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Deal evokes mixed feelings in Röttgen: Significant concession for the rule of lawCDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In the end, I support the decision." In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, Röttgen says, "This is a significant concession that the German state, the rule of law, has accepted for a higher good, that of humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people, so it's a give and take." He understands those who struggled with this decision, referring to the exchange of the Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz assesses prisoner swap: "Everyone has seen: Germany is blackmailable"ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a fatal signal for Germans living abroad in this prisoner swap between Moscow and Berlin. The Kremlin is also increasing pressure on domestic and foreign opposition figures.
08:33 Biden praises "remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner swap was a "hard nut to crack" for the US's allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that "went against their immediate interests," says Biden. Especially German 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. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries allowed a convicted murderer and prisoners suspected of espionage to go free from Russia. Read more about this here.
08:04 US analyst believes Putin got what he wantedLooking at the prisoner swap, analyst Tom Nichols believes Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin had sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next negotiating chip in another deal. Putin's government is "taking people and weighing them like meat until they get the kind of deal they want," believes Russia expert Nichols. He thinks Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were caught and that they were valuable to him.
07:26 Rocket Deployment Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism, especially from the SPD, has been voiced that the planned relocation of far-reaching US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the involvement of the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment is expected to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," as stated in a recent briefing. The legal basis for this would likely be the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign military forces in Germany. In July, the US and German governments announced that the US would again station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 onwards that can reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed concerns 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 the Bundestag. Similarly, the deputy leader of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul, called for a debate on this issue in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden Visibly Moved: "It's a Wonderful Feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow countrymen on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice president, Kamala Harris, describes it as "an incredible day" – one that can be seen in the tears of joy from the families of the released prisoners. The prisoner exchange, she says, is "an extraordinary testament to the power of diplomacy."
06:00 Harris Praises Courage of Freed 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 Vladimir Kara-Murza, a US green card holder, have shown "incredible courage" after being unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans freed as part of a prisoner exchange were greeted 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. For more on this, click here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Arrive in the USThree Americans freed as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly arrived in the US. The plane believed to be 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 Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that 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. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington in response to a journalist's question about whether successful negotiations could also promote talks with the Ukrainians about the war situation.
03:05 Russian Governor: Drone Fragments Hit CrimeaMikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, reported 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 wrote on the Telegram platform that there were no casualties. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube Functioning Limitedly 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 were mainly reported 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 used via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged Prisoners Arrived SafelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a large portion of the 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 a detailed conversation 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 coming from Ankara landed in Cologne-Bonn late in the evening. On board were supposed to be about a dozen of the total 16 released from 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 course of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that is not seen on camera every day, work that is not written about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. Putin reportedly deals with the course of the special operation, as the attack war against 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 Minister of Justice on Prisoner Deal: "In Doubt, for Freedom"Federal Minister of Justice 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. He explains that this was done to enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in Russian custody in a manner that showed utter contempt for human life." Buschmann is referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in February. As Minister of Justice, he says the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial for him.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians released from Western custody at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin chief embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac, where the presidential guard was standing in formation, according to images 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 freed prisoners and announced that they would be nominated for state awards. The faces of the freed prisoners showed tears of joy. 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's WidowAfter 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. Harris highlighted Navalny's and his wife's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmysh said. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures as "great joy" on Twitter. "Every release of a political prisoner is a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she wrote. "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 said to have already carried out 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 so far maintained silence about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developments here.
09:36 Röttgen's view on EU involvement CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen also shares his thoughts on the deal between Russia and the European Union. He expresses that while he supports the decision, this is a significant concession that the EU has accepted for a higher good, in the pursuit of humanitarian causes.
08:04 Putin's perceived EU strategy Analyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy can be inferred from this EU-Russia prisoner swap. According to Nichols, Putin aims to send a clear message to Western leaders and their citizens that individuals who set foot in Russia could potentially become negotiating chips in future deals.
