Marc Fogel freed from Russian detention after three years

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the successful negotiation for the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who had been detained in Russia since August 2021 for possession of medical marijuana. Fogel's release is viewed as a significant step in fostering goodwill between the U.S. and Russia amid ongoing tensions due to the war in Ukraine. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized that this exchange illustrates Russia's willingness to cooperate and represents progress towards peace negotiations. Fogel, who faced a 14-year sentence, is expected to reunite with his family by that evening. The White House has not disclosed the specifics of what the U.S. offered in exchange for Fogel's release. This development marks a continuation of Trump's efforts to secure the release of Americans detained abroad, following a similar case involving WNBA star Brittney Griner in 2022.