Synopsis
The Trump administration successfully negotiated the release of Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed the exchange, with Fogel set to reunite with his family at Joint Base Andrews after enduring legal challenges abroad.Key Takeaways
- Marc Fogel released from Russian detention.
- Negotiation led by Trump administration.
- Limited details on the exchange process.
- Fogel reunites with family after imprisonment.
- Calls for improved US-Russia relations highlighted.
Washington, Feb 12 (NationPress) The administration of US President Donald Trump has successfully negotiated the release of Marc Fogel, an American educator who was detained in Russia.
On Tuesday, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced that Fogel was transported out of Russian airspace following a successful exchange negotiated with Russia, facilitated by Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, along with other presidential advisors.
Witkoff was present in Russia to finalize the exchange, according to a report by the BBC.
The statement provided limited details regarding the agreement, not disclosing the number or identity of individuals exchanged for Fogel. It emphasized that the exchange represented a gesture of goodwill from the Russians and indicated progress in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia has yet to issue any formal comment on the situation. Meanwhile, Fogel's sister expressed her profound relief regarding his release during an interview with the BBC.
"I plan to celebrate for the next 24 hours," Anne Fogel stated. "We're incredibly happy."
She mentioned that her brother had been relocated from a penal facility in Rybinsk the previous Wednesday, noting that while the family was aware of the possibility of his release, they understood that such negotiations are often precarious.
Fogel is set to arrive at Joint Base Andrews, located near Washington DC, where he will be reunited with his wife and children.
In a statement shared with CBS News, Fogel's wife Jane and their sons Ethan and Sam remarked: "This has been the darkest and most painful chapter of our lives, yet today marks the beginning of our healing process."
Fogel was apprehended at an airport in 2021 for the illegal possession of cannabis. He was charged with having a small quantity of medical marijuana, which was prescribed to him in the US, and subsequently received a 14-year prison sentence.
Fogel's legal representatives expressed gratitude to Trump for his involvement in the negotiations and criticized what they termed as the previous administration's bureaucratic delays.
"President Trump facilitated Marc's release within just a few weeks, acting swiftly to bring him home," stated his attorneys in a message sent to CBS.
"By tonight, Marc Fogel will be back on American soil, reuniting with his family and loved ones," the legal team's statement added.
Trump later commented in the Oval Office, "We were treated very nicely by Russia. I hope this marks the beginning of a relationship that can lead us to conclude that war and prevent further loss of life."
The President also indicated that he would meet Fogel at the White House around 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday.
According to earlier reports from CNN, Fogel, aged 61, worked as a history teacher for nearly ten years at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, where he taught children of American diplomats.
Despite beginning his sentence in 2022, the US government did not classify Fogel as wrongfully detained until December 2024.
His family had previously urged former President Joe Biden to secure his release, expressing disappointment when he was excluded from prisoner exchanges in 2022 and 2024.
