WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Marc Fogel, an American teacher detained in Russia since 2021, has been released and is en route to the United States, the White House announced Tuesday. President Donald J. Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff negotiated the exchange that led to Fogel’s release, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations amid ongoing tensions over the Ukraine conflict.
Fogel, 66, was arrested at a Moscow airport in August 2021 for possessing a small amount of medical marijuana prescribed for chronic back pain. In June 2022, he was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony on drug trafficking charges. His family and supporters have long advocated for his release, emphasizing his status as a teacher who had spent years educating students abroad.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated, “Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia.” He added that the exchange 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.”
The specifics of the exchange have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear what concessions, if any, were made by the U.S. The Kremlin acknowledged the exchange, referencing the White House’s statement, but provided no further details.
Fogel’s family expressed immense relief and gratitude. “We are overjoyed to have Marc back home,” they said in a statement. “This has been a harrowing ordeal, and we are thankful to everyone who worked tirelessly to secure his release.”
President Trump highlighted the administration’s commitment to bringing detained Americans home, stating that efforts will continue “until all Americans being held are returned to the United States.”
Fogel’s release is seen as a positive development in U.S.-Russia relations, with potential implications for future diplomatic engagements concerning the Ukraine conflict. Upcoming talks at the Munich Security Conference will involve U.S. officials consulting with European counterparts about steps toward ending the war.
