President Trump expressed gratitude to President Putin for the release of Marc Fogel, an American teacher who spent three and a half years imprisoned in Russia on drug charges. After Fogel's return to the U.S., Trump praised the exchange as fair and reasonable, unlike previous deals under other administrations. Trump suggested that this release could influence peace in the ongoing war in Ukraine. He highlighted the diplomatic efforts of his envoy, Steve Witkoff, who had met with Putin, and indicated that another American's release could occur soon.
"I appreciate very much what they did in letting Marc go home," Trump said after he greeted Fogel outside the White House South Portico in the falling snow.
Trump declined to discuss the terms of the exchange, except to say that they were 'very fair, very reasonable, not like deals you've seen' under other presidents.
Trump said the release could play a significant role in bringing an end to the war in Ukraine, suggesting it could be a big, important part in getting the war over.
Although Fogel was designated as 'unjustly imprisoned' in Russia by the State Department, Trump described the release as an act of largesse by Putin.
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