Donald Trump’s special envoy has secured the release of detained American Marc Fogel from Russia on a secret trip to the country.
‘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,’ National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in a statement.
‘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.’
The statement continued: ‘By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.’
It comes after Trump has made a series of statements about speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and recent contacts between the U.S. and Russian sides.
Fogel, an American teacher, was classified as ‘wrongfully detained’ during the Biden administration and had received a 14-year prison sentence.
Authorities found marijuana in his luggage on his 2021 arrival at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. His family said he had a medical marijuana prescription, and that the amount – less than 20 grams – was to treat a spinal condition.
President Donald Trump has been coy about administration contacts with Russia. His special envoy is returning from Russia with detained American Marc Fogel, who was being held in penal colony on a 14-year sentence
The former United States Embassy Moscow worker was arrested and convicted of drug smuggling.
He has been left out of previous negotiations to free Americans held in Russia.
That included two separate swaps to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
In the Griner exchange ‘merchant of death’ arms deal Viktor Bout was handed over.
Fogel’s sister Anne has been active online calling for his release, and organizing supporters to pressure officials.
Trump vowed to continue to push to free Americans held abroad. On Tuesday, he once again commented on the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza. He demanded they release the remainder by noon on Saturday or ‘all bets are off.’
Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer, served as Trump’s envoy to help seal a Gaza ceasefire hostage release deal, which came together in the last days of the Biden administration with his involvement.
Marc Fogel, an American private school teacher from from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who was jailed in Russia after being caught with a medical marijuana prescription in 2021. He is returning home to the US, the White House said
Trump has called for better relations with Russia. He confirmed a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, without saying when it happened
Trump said on Air Force One on Sunday that he had spoken to Putin but he did not clarify when.
‘I’ve had it. Let’s just say I’ve had it…And I expect to have many more conversations. We have to get that war ended,’ he said.
He has made repeated statements about ending the bloodshed in Russia’s war on Ukraine. But he has also made comments that appeared to undercut the Ukrainian position.
After the Biden administration shipped billions in military aid, Trump is calling for Ukraine to provide $500 billion in rare earth minerals in exchange.
In an unusual comment Monday, Trump said Ukraine ‘may be Russian someday.’
‘They (Ukraine) may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,’ Trump said.
Some Trump advisers have said Ukraine should cede territory seized by Russia in its war in exchange for peace.
Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday.
Additional details of any deal that secured Fogel’s release were not immediately known.
DailyMail.com has sought additional details from the White House.
