Prisoner exchange led by Trump brings Marc Fogel home
The White House reported on Tuesday about the release of Marc Fogel, a teacher and former diplomatic worker, from a Russian prison and his return to the United States. Washington will conduct a prisoner exchange with Russia. These arrangements were made during a visit to Moscow by a member of President Donald Trump's administration.
The White House stated on Tuesday that Trump facilitated the release of Marc Fogel. The American had been in a Russian prison since 2021. He was detained for drug possession.
Washington informed that Steve Witkoff, a developer and close friend of Trump, who serves as his envoy to the Middle East, led the negotiations in this matter. Witkoff was said to have left Russian airspace already in the company of the released American.
The White House reported. A prisoner exchange with Russia took place
"President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President's advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine," said U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that thanks to President Trump's leadership, Marc Fogel will be on American soil by Tuesday. He will reunite with his family and loved ones. However, it was not disclosed whom the United States released in return.
Witkoff previously played a key role in promoting a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He is the first high-ranking American official to have visited Russia in recent years.
The statement regarding Fogel appeared a few hours after Trump said that U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent would visit Ukraine. Bessent, another high-ranking official in Trump's team, will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump shared this in a social media post.
Marc Fogel, an American teacher and former employee of the U.S. Embassy, was sentenced in Russia in 2021 to 14 years in prison. This was the sentence for possession of approximately 17 grams of medical marijuana.
