Marc Fogel, American detained in Russia, freed after visit by Trump envoy

Washington — The White House announced Tuesday that it has negotiated the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who had been behind bars in Russia since 2021.

“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, an American who was detained by Russia,” White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, said in a statement. “President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the president’s advisors 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 said Fogel is expected to be back on U.S. soil and reunited with his family by tonight.

Fogel was serving a 14-year sentence in Russia for possessing medical marijuana and was designated as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. late last year.

This is a developing story and will be updated.