Trump Welcomes Marc Fogel to the White House After Release from Russian Prison

D.C. (Dist. of Criminals), February 11, 2025 – 10:00 PM — American teacher Marc Fogel has returned home after being released from a Russian prison following negotiations by President Donald J. Trump. Fogel, who was detained in Russia since 2021 on drug charges, arrived at the White House shortly after 10 p.m., where he was personally greeted by President Trump.

Fogel, 63, had been serving a 14-year sentence at a Russian prison colony before his release. The White House confirmed his return, with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz calling it a sign of diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Russia.

"President Trump 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," Waltz stated Tuesday afternoon.

In a briefing from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized his goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war, saying:

"I hope that's the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war and millions of people can stop being killed."

When asked about what the United States gave in return for Fogel’s release, Trump responded:

"Not much, no. They were very nice. We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually."

Fogel’s Release Amid Diplomatic Efforts
The circumstances of Fogel’s release remain unclear, with neither the White House nor the State Department confirming whether an exchange took place. Adam Boehler, the presidential envoy for hostage affairs, declined to provide details, stating that the U.S. would consider future cases carefully but would not engage in “one-for-one” swaps.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Fogel’s return as a significant step forward, but reminded the public that several Americans remain detained in Russia, adding:

"Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia. President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home."

Fogel’s lawyer, Dmitry Ovsyannikov, confirmed that Fogel was transferred from his prison colony last week and flown to Moscow before leaving Russia on Tuesday. However, he stated that the defense team was not informed of the exchange details.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming
Fogel, a teacher at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, was arrested in August 2021 for attempting to bring 11 grams of marijuana and eight grams of hash oil into the country. His family and the U.S. government called for his humanitarian release, with the State Department declaring him "wrongfully detained" in October 2024.

His mother, Malphine Fogel, described receiving an unexpected phone call from him as he waited for his flight home, calling it a "beautiful shocker."

"It's unreal still. We've been waiting for this time for a long time," she told ABC News Live. "And when the news came over, it was unbelievable. We just can't wait to see Marc in person. And until we do, I guess it's not going to be real."

Fogel’s return marks a significant moment in U.S.-Russia relations under Trump, with further diplomatic negotiations expected as efforts continue to secure the release of other detained Americans.

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