CNN
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The White House announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration has successfully arranged for the release of Marc Fogel, an American educator who had been imprisoned in Russia for over three years, through a negotiated “exchange.”

Fogel was classified as wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department, with negotiations led by President Donald Trump, Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and other senior advisors, as stated by national security adviser Mike Waltz.

While specifics of the “exchange” were not disclosed, the statement emphasized it demonstrated goodwill from the Russian side and indicated progress in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Further commentary was not provided by the National Security Council.

In a remarkable gesture, Witkoff traveled personally to Russia to facilitate Fogel’s return, marking a rare instance of high-profile U.S. travel to Russia since the inception of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

Witkoff, who previously had no formal dealings with Russia, has utilized his connections in the Middle East as part of the agreement discussions, as revealed by insiders familiar with the negotiations.

His extensive travels in recent months, particularly in relation to the Gaza ceasefire talks, involved supportive roles from Qatari authorities who facilitated introductions with Russian intermediaries that assisted in this deal.

“By tonight, Marc Fogel will be back on American soil, reunited with his family and loved ones, all thanks to President Trump’s decisive leadership,” Waltz conveyed in the announcement.

The Fogel family expressed overwhelming gratitude and relief on Tuesday, celebrating his return after enduring over three years in detention.

“Thanks to President Trump’s steadfast leadership, Marc will soon be back in America where he belongs,” said Jane, Ethan, and Sam Fogel in a statement.

“This has been the darkest and most challenging phase of our lives, but today marks the beginning of our healing,” the family stated. “For the first time in years, we can look forward to a hopeful future.”

Adam Boehler, appointed by Trump as the special envoy for hostage affairs, shared a live photo of Fogel holding a U.S. passport, joyfully announcing his return home on social media on Tuesday.

Fogel had a decade-long career as a history teacher at Moscow’s Anglo-American School, where he instructed children of U.S. diplomats among others.

His troubles began in August 2021 when he was detained at a Moscow airport for carrying around 17 grams of cannabis — a medication prescribed by a doctor for his severe back pain, per his family and legal representatives.

In June 2022, a court near Moscow found him guilty of “large-scale drug smuggling,” ultimately sentencing him to 14 years in a Russian labor camp. Notably, this court previously conducted the trial for WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was released in a prisoner exchange in December 2022.

Despite previous opportunities for prisoner swaps under the Biden administration, including a notable one in August that freed journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, Fogel remained unaddressed.

Concerns for Fogel’s well-being were a pressing issue for his family, who revealed in July 2022 that his imprisonment posed a “death sentence.” The U.S. government had petitioned Russia for his release on humanitarian grounds, citing his age and chronic health issues.

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