Washington, D.C. – American teacher Marc Fogel came back to the U.S. on Tuesday night, after more than three years in Russian detention and now he has Fogel in exchange for British arms dealer Victor Bout. This was made possible due to an arrangement set by Donald Trump.
Trump welcomed Fogel, 63, back at the White House and called the releasement “an honor to have played a small role.” Draped in an American flag, Fogel appeared emotional as he thanked those involved. “I love our country, and I’m so happy to be back,” he said.
Trump mentioned the terms of the deal and said they remain hidden for now but did add that there was “very fair and reasonable.” National security adviser Mike Waltz indicated it was a “show of good faith” from Russia and the first step towards ending the war in Ukraine. The former president hinted that another American detainee’s release could happen anytime soon.
Fogel, who worked at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, was convicted of “large-scale drug smuggling” back in August 2021 and was met with a sentence of 14 years in a Russian labor camp. Despite advocacy efforts, he was excluded from previous Biden-era prisoner swaps.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, personally traveled to Russia to secure Fogel’s release, with assistance from Qatari intermediaries. His return has been widely celebrated by lawmakers, including Sen. Steve Daines and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
While not directly linked to the Ukraine conflict, Sen. Marco Rubio called the exchange a “good sign” of potential diplomatic progress. Trump’s advisers are set to meet with Ukrainian officials in the coming days, signaling possible shifts in U.S. foreign policy toward the war.
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