Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus could be victims
The CDU's foreign policy spokesperson, Jürgen Hardt, views the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer as part of a prisoner exchange with mixed feelings. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," Hardt told ARD's "Morgenmagazin." The Russian president could now effectively tell any hired killer, "You see, I get you out." The policy must be clear, he says, that "we have come onto a slippery slope with this." All Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should be warned that they could become victims, and "we must protect those who are with us." At the same time, he welcomes the release of the 16 people imprisoned in Russia and Belarus.
12:13 Kremlin confirms Tiergarten murderer is Russian secret agentAccording to the Kremlin, the German prisoner exchange released Wadim Krasikow is a member of the Russian secret service FSB. "Krasikow is a member of the FSB," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow. Krasikow, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, belonged to an elite unit of the secret service.
11:55 Security expert Umbach: Exchange strengthens Putin's image of a weak WestThe prisoner exchange strengthens Putin's course against the West, says security expert Frank Umbach. Russia had the upper hand in the deal and made the West look weak. For Russia's president, this matter is a win in multiple ways, as the expert explains.
11:22 Gershkovich proposes interview with PutinThe released US journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview just before the prisoner exchange. He had to fill out an official pardon application for Putin while in prison, the "Wall Street Journal" reports, for which Gershkovich works. The form also had a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in the formal Russian he had acquired in 16 months of detention. In the last line, he suggested to Putin: Would he be ready to sit down for an interview after his release? No response from the Russian president is known. Read more here.
11:00 Number of Russian contract soldiers may be exaggeratedRussia is trying to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine with cash bonuses. However, the number of new recruits may be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, writes the independent Russian-language online medium "Important Stories" based in Riga. According to a joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing a contract between autumn 2022 and April 2024. This is evident from data on the federal budget. The ministry, however, spoke of 640,000 contract soldiers by the same time.
10:30 Baerbock sees dilemma in Tiergarten murderer exchangeForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. However, in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she acknowledges that the exchange poses a "highly sensitive dilemma" as Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as well. The decision was not easy for the federal government and has sparked much debate, she says.
10:04 Hunter: "We're back in a time when Russia holds hostages"In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow has released a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West must accept, says political scientist Thomas Hunter.
09:36 Deal leaves Röttgen with mixed feelings: Huge concession for 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 huge 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. It's a give and take." He understands those who struggled with this decision, referring to the exchange of Tiergarten murderer Wadim Krasikow.
09:00 Munz assesses prisoner exchange: "Everyone has seen: Germany is blackmailable"ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a fatal signal for Germans living abroad in the prisoner exchange 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 exchange was a "tough nut" for the US allies. Particularly Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions against their immediate interests, he says. Especially Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable". A plane with 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 released a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia under suspicion of espionage. For more on this, read here.
08:04 US 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 has sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next negotiating tool for another deal. Putin's government is treating people like meat on a scale until they get the kind of deal they want, Nichols believes. He also thinks 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.
07:26 Rocket Deployment Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism, especially from the SPD, has been voiced that the planned relocation of extended US weapons to Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag's involvement. 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 states in a current briefing. The legal basis 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 wants to station weapon 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. Union parliamentary vice-president Johann Wadephul also 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 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 joyful tears 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 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 US Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza 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 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 Freed Americans Arrive in the USThree Americans freed 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 Advisor: 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 the detainees and possible 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 when asked if the successful negotiations could also promote talks about the war situation with the Ukrainians.
03:05 Russian Governor: Drone Fragments Hit CrimeaThe Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, 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 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 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 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, his spokesman Dmitry Peskow said 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 simple soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice," Peskow said.
23:38 Freed German Prisoners Land in CologneAfter the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes with freed prisoners landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had previously interrupted his vacation and also landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Among the released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Justice Minister on Prisoner Exchange 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, the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial for him. Read more about this here.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Released RussiansVladimir 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 was standing 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 Beloussov. "You are home, you are in your homeland," 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 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 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 on X. Harris highlighted Navalny's and his wife's efforts for a "democratic Russia," the spokeswoman explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as a "great joy." Every release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "hostage" to Putin 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 conducted the first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets shortly after their arrival in the country, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is assumed that these were only used for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has so far remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets - a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developmentshere.**
The attack on Ukraine has led to a tense situation between Russia and the West, with both sides making significant moves. For instance, the Kremlin confirmed that the Tiergarten murderer, who was released in a prisoner exchange, is a Russian secret agent. This deal, according to security expert Umbach, strengthens Putin's image as a leader against the West, as Russia had the upper hand and made the West look weak.
