Russia frees American teacher Mark Fogel in what US calls step towards ending Ukraine war

Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for US President Donald Trump, left Russian airspace with Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, and he is expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day.

Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. His family and supporters said he had been travelling with medically prescribed marijuana, and he was designated by US President Joe Biden’s administration as wrongfully detained in December.

Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, said the US and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel’s release. He did not say what the US side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the US or its allies.

Waltz said the development was “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine”. Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.

Trump also has talked about having a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last month, Trump said his administration was having “very serious” conversations with Russia about the war.