American educator Marc Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since August 2021 on drug charges, has been released and returned to the United States.
His release was facilitated by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, who accompanied Fogel back to the White House, where President Trump welcomed him.
Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was arrested for possessing medically prescribed marijuana and subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Expressing his gratitude, Fogel stated, "I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now," while standing beside President Trump with an American flag draped over his shoulders. He also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting him a pardon, describing the act as "very generous and statesmanlike."
The specifics of the exchange leading to Fogel's release have not been disclosed. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz noted that the U.S. and Russia "negotiated an exchange" to secure Fogel's freedom, emphasizing that this development is "a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine."
President Trump hinted at the imminent release of another American detainee, though he did not provide further details. He also announced plans to send Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian leaders, signaling potential progress in peace negotiations.
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, are scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference to engage with European officials on the situation in Ukraine.
Fogel's family expressed profound relief and gratitude upon his return, stating, "This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal."
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