WASHINGTON — Marc Fogel, an American history teacher classified as wrongfully detained in Russia, has been freed and has returned to the United States. The White House characterized this release as a potential diplomatic breakthrough that could facilitate discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy appointed during the Donald Trump administration, accompanied Fogel out of Russia and brought him to the White House, where Trump welcomed him. “I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel expressed while standing next to Trump, wrapped in an American flag.
Hailing from Pennsylvania, Fogel anticipated reuniting with his family within the day and expressed profound gratitude towards Trump for his release. Trump indicated that another American might be freed soon but withheld details about that person’s identity or location, referring to them as someone “very special.”
While it remains unclear if Trump had direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Fogel’s situation, Fogel himself complimented Putin for being “very generous and statesmanlike” in offering him a pardon. When pressed about the particulars of the arrangement that led to Fogel’s release, Trump stated, “Very fair, very, very fair, very reasonable,” asserting that the conditions were much better than previous agreements made in the past.
Fogel was initially detained in August 2021 and had been sentenced to a lengthy 14-year prison term. His family and supporters explained that he was carrying medically prescribed marijuana at the time of his arrest, a situation that led to the Biden administration designating him as wrongfully detained in December.
Michael Waltz, who served as Trump’s national security adviser, confirmed that the U.S. and Russia engaged in negotiations to facilitate Fogel’s release, but details regarding any exchanged assets were not discussed. Previous negotiations have often resulted in the reciprocal release of detained individuals from both countries.
Waltz suggested that this development was an encouraging sign toward potentially concluding the ongoing and devastating war in Ukraine. Trump has consistently voiced his commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict, maintaining that he holds a good relationship with Putin, who instigated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In comments made last month, Trump indicated that serious discussions were underway with Russia regarding the war.
In a statement to reporters at the White House, Trump remarked, “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.” When asked if the U.S. had conceded anything in negotiations, Trump downplayed the significance, asserting “not much,” yet offered no further explanation.
Fogel’s family expressed immense relief and gratitude over his return, describing the past years as “the darkest and most painful period” of their lives, while looking forward with renewed hope. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope,” they stated.
There was no immediate reaction from Moscow regarding Fogel’s release. Previously, the U.S., Russia, and other countries engaged in a notable prisoner exchange in August that included the release of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security official Paul Whelan. However, that agreement did not encompass many other Americans detained in Russia, including Fogel.
Some individuals omitted from prior negotiations faced further developments in their cases. Ksenia Khavana, a dual U.S.-Russian national, was convicted of treason shortly after the August swap and sentenced to 12 years in prison related to a donation to a charity supporting Ukraine. John Kirby, who served as a national security spokesperson for the Biden administration at the time, condemned her sentencing as “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”
Additionally, Robert Gilman was sentenced to over seven years in prison for allegedly hurting law enforcement while already serving time for another assault. Stephen Hubbard faced imprisonment in a closed trial for reportedly engaging as a mercenary in Ukraine.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine approaches its third anniversary, Trump’s strategy for achieving peace remains vague, although he has indicated that both sides need to compromise, suggesting that Ukraine may have to relinquish some territory. Fogel’s release, along with Trump’s announcement that he will send Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian leaders, could indicate the initiation of preliminary plans.
This week, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and retired General Keith Kellogg, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, will attend the Munich Security Conference, where the situation in Ukraine is expected to be a prominent topic of conversation. Kellogg noted that they would engage European officials to discuss broad expectations regarding Trump’s perspective and assess their responses.
“We will communicate our expectations to the allies,” Kellogg stated, adding, “When we come back from Munich — we want to present the president with options, so he is informed when he becomes involved in the peace process.”
