US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Fogel was released as part of the exchange.
Russia has released former US Embassy employee Mark Fogel, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for allegedly “smuggling” drugs”.
This became known from a statement by the White House, which was referred to by the US President's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Waltz said that Vogel had been exchanged, but did not specify for whom exactly.
“Today, President Donald Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff can announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace along with Mark Fogel, an American held by Russia,” Waltz said.
The presidential adviser called it a “good sign” toward ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Fogel was released thanks to an agreement with the Kremlin that involved Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. According to media reports, including The New York Times, Fogel was flown out of Russia on a plane belonging to Vitkoff.
On the morning of February 11, monitoring recorded his arrival in Moscow.
However, it is unknown whether Vitkoff met with any Russian officials during his stay in the Russian capital.
Who is Mark Vogel and why did the Russian Federation convict him
Teacher and former US Embassy employee in Russia Mark Vogel was arrested in August 2021 on charges of importing medical marijuana. He was detained during a security check at a Moscow airport.
In June 2022, Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Fogel himself said that he was arrested for carrying medical marijuana, which was prescribed to him by a doctor.
In December 2024, the US State Department recognized Fogel as “unjustly detained”, which opened up additional diplomatic opportunities for his release.
Fogel had previously been excluded from prisoner swaps between the US and Russia, which caused disappointment in his family and the public.
Related topics:
More news
