Washington (USA), Feb 12 (LaPresse) – Marc Fogel has returned to the United States and was welcomed at the White House by Donald Trump following his release from detention in Russia. A history teacher from Pennsylvania, Fogel was brought to the White House in Washington by Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, who traveled with him from Russia.
The White House presented the release as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump's national security adviser, Michael Waltz, stated that the United States and Russia had "negotiated an exchange" but did not confirm whether the U.S. had released someone in return.
"I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now," Fogel said at the White House, standing next to Trump. He is expected to reunite with his family by the end of the day and said he would forever be indebted to the U.S. president.
Trump announced that another American would be released on Wednesday but declined to name the person or specify the country, saying only that it was a "very special" individual.
Fogel had been arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. His family and supporters stated that he was traveling with doctor-prescribed marijuana, and in December, the administration of President Joe Biden designated him as wrongfully detained.
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