The White House announced Tuesday that Witkoff, on an unannounced visit to Moscow, successfully negotiated Fogel’s release. The development comes as President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to end Moscow’s three-year-long invasion.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz described the exchange as a “show of good faith” from Russia and an indication of progress toward ending the war.
“President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s advisers negotiated an exchange that signals we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine,” Waltz stated.
Witkoff, Trump’s chief Middle East envoy, discreetly traveled to Russia to bring Fogel home. Waltz confirmed they had departed Russian airspace and were en route to the US.
“By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones, thanks to President Trump’s leadership,” Waltz added.
Trump has indicated he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has not disclosed details, only emphasizing his commitment to ending the war.
Fogel, a teacher, was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in 2021 after authorities found 17 grams of marijuana in his luggage, which he claimed was for medical use. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling.
His family expressed profound gratitude, stating: “We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years, Marc Fogel is finally coming home.”
Fogel had been excluded from a major prisoner exchange last August, which saw 24 prisoners traded between Russia and the West.
“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” the Fogel family said.
The White House did not specify whether any concessions were made to secure his release.