In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has successfully negotiated the release of Marc Fogel, an American who had been imprisoned in Russia.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that Witkoff, on a secret mission to Moscow, secured Fogel’s freedom and was already en route back to the U.S.
According to National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, “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.”
Waltz also noted that the agreement signals a step toward improved U.S.-Russia relations and could help de-escalate the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Long-Awaited Release
Fogel, a former teacher and U.S. Embassy staffer in Moscow, was arrested in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling.
During the Biden administration, he was officially classified as “wrongfully detained,” but efforts to secure his release had previously fallen short.
Unlike WNBA star Brittney Griner and journalist Evan Gershkovich—who were freed in high-profile prisoner swaps—Fogel remained behind bars.
His family, particularly his sister Anne, had been actively campaigning for his release, using social media and public pressure to bring attention to his case. Their persistence has now paid off.
Trump’s Stance on Americans Held Abroad
Trump has repeatedly promised to bring home Americans detained in foreign countries, and this latest development is being framed as a testament to his diplomatic skills.
Just this week, he also commented on the hostage situation in Gaza, warning Hamas to release all captives by noon on Saturday—or face serious consequences.
During a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also mentioned past discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin but remained vague about their timeline.
“Let’s just say I’ve had it… And I expect to have many more conversations. We have to get that war ended.”
Trump’s Comments on Ukraine Raise Eyebrows
While celebrating Fogel’s release, Trump’s latest remarks about Ukraine have sparked controversy.
He has suggested that, in exchange for U.S. aid, Ukraine should provide $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals.
Even more surprisingly, he stated, “Ukraine may be Russian someday.”
The remark has fueled speculation about Trump’s stance on the ongoing conflict, especially as some of his advisors have suggested that Ukraine should consider ceding Russian-occupied territories to negotiate peace.
With Trump continuing to weigh in on global conflicts and diplomatic negotiations, it’s clear that his influence on U.S. foreign policy is far from over.
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