American Marc Fogel was welcomed by President Trump upon his release from detention by Russia

Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who was released from prison in Russia after serving three and a half years, was greeted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, where he was greeted with a flag-waving ceremony following his return from Moscow.

Fogel, who was draped with an American flag, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am currently the luckiest man on Earth.” “I’m a middle-class school teacher who’s now in a dream world.”

“To me, he looks damned good,” Trump stated while standing in the White House Diplomatic Reception Room with Fogel.

The 63-year-old Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since August 2021 and was serving a 14-year sentence, was released as part of Trump’s efforts to enhance relations with Moscow in order to secure an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Fogel’s release “could be a big important part” of ending the Ukraine war, according to Trump. He and Fogel both expressed their gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his release.

Trump stated, “Our sole objective was to facilitate his return home.” He also stated that he would provide Fogel with a tour of the Lincoln Bedroom, which is located on the upper level of the White House.

Trump announced that an additional individual would be released on Wednesday, but he did not specify the individual’s identity. He described the conditions of Fogel’s parole as “extremely equitable.”

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East emissary, made an unexpected halt in Moscow on Tuesday to retrieve Fogel after he was released.

Adam Boehler, Trump’s senior hostage envoy, shared a photo on social media of Fogel, who is from Pennsylvania, on a transport home. The photo depicted him with a cheese plate, a raised glass, and his U.S. passport.

Earlier, when asked about the exchange of Fogel for the United States, Trump responded, “Not much.” He also referred to the release as a demonstration of Russian good faith.

“Russia extended us exceptional hospitality.” In reality, I aspire to establish a relationship that will enable us to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine and prevent the deaths of millions of individuals,” Trump stated.

Following his detention at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport in August 2021, Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling. His luggage contained 17 grams of hashish. Martin De Luca, a member of Fogel’s legal team, stated that the marijuana had been medically prescribed in Pennsylvania, where it is lawful.

De Luca informed Reuters that Witkoff’s aircraft was in Moscow for a brief period before departing with Fogel aboard. The aircraft then traveled through central Europe and returned to Washington.

“We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband, and son, Marc Fogel, is finally coming home,” according to a statement issued by the Fogel family.

“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal.”

Fogel was transferred from a penitentiary in Rybinsk, located north of Moscow, to a pre-trial detention center in Moscow last week, according to Dmitry Ovsyannikov, who had previously represented him as a Russian counsel.

In August, a historic exchange of captives occurred, in which 24 prisoners were involved. Of these, 16 were sent from Russia to the West, including Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, and eight were sent back to Russia from the West. Fogel was excluded from this exchange.