American imprisoned by Russia released as Witkoff meets and praises Putin

Behind closed diplomatic doors, some of the U.S.'s closest allies view Donald Trump's America as an "unreliable boyfriend", a "security threat," and open to corruption. A Canadian official warns that the world's disappointment with the U.S. will have long-lasting consequences. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses more with Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister of Canada. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, the White House says Melania Trump brokered a localized ceasefire deal in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, Romania's president blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the army there to prepare for a full closure of the occupied West Bank. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This weekend, voters in Brazil head to the polls in a high-stakes presidential runoff that could reshape that country's political future. Will Brazil join a rightward shift across parts of the Americas, or stick with its left-wing leadership? Voting is compulsory for most adults, and the race has deepened political divisions across the country. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ukrainians are desperate for more defense systems to repel Russia's relentless onslaught of drones and ballistic missiles. For the missiles, no system is more valuable than the U.S. Patriot interceptor. But years of use in Ukraine and by the U.S. and allies in the war with Iran have depleted thin stocks. Special correspondent Mike Cerre has an exclusive look at the Patriot manufacturing process. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Russia freed an American imprisoned for the last four years. Stephen Hubbard was captured in Eastern Ukraine and convicted of fighting against Russia. The 74-year-old retired teacher was reportedly freed without a swap. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg. He also met with the Russian president and praised Putin in unusually glowing terms. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

According to reports, Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield defense systems. Nick Schifrin reports, and Amna Nawaz discusses how the world's richest man gained such power over U.S. security interests with Charles Galbreath, a retired Air Force colonel who focused on space operations during his 30-year military career and is now at the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and European officials in Norway in a bid to avoid a further diplomatic rupture with President Trump. Over the past week, Trump has criticized Zelenskyy over Ukraine's efforts to inflict heavy losses on Russia. The meeting was aimed at easing tensions ahead of Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

To discuss the tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Geoff Bennett spoke with David Kramer. He held a number of senior positions at the State Department during the George W. Bush administration. He's now the executive director of the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, British authorities say they're sending air support to Saudi Arabia to protect against missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Vice President Vance says he's not endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections and voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have put the province on a path toward independence. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. But many of its people are slowly turning against the one million Ukrainian refugees given sanctuary over the past four years. Divisions between Poles and Ukrainians are being exacerbated by bitter cultural memory of a World War II massacre. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy