Marc Fogel Returns to US After Release from Russian Prison

Fogel, detained since 2021 for cannabis possession, arrived in the US and plans to meet President Trump as his family expresses relief over his freedom.

American schoolteacher Marc Fogel has safely landed back in the United States after being released from a Russian prison, where he had been held for more than two years. The 63-year-old former diplomat arrived late on Tuesday at Joint Base Andrews, just outside Washington DC, and is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump later today.

His release was reportedly part of a negotiated exchange between the US and Russian governments, although specific details of the exchange remain unconfirmed. Russia has not publicly commented on Fogel's release, but US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz described it as a positive step in fostering diplomatic relations.

Anne Fogel, his sister, expressed her overwhelming relief and joy, stating, “I plan to celebrate through the next 24 hours. We're so happy.” She shared that Marc had been moved from a penal colony in Rybinsk just last Wednesday, and while the family hoped for an eventual release, they understood that such negotiations could be delicate and uncertain.

Upon his arrival on American soil, a picture of Mr. Fogel was shared by the White House along with a statement: “PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!” His family stated in an emotional response, “This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal.”

Fogel was originally arrested at an airport for carrying a small amount of medical marijuana prescribed in the US, leading to a 14-year sentence. His legal team acknowledged President Trump’s significant role in facilitating the negotiations that led to his liberation, while also criticizing what they referred to as the "bureaucratic inaction" of the previous Biden administration.

Despite beginning his sentence in 2022, he was not recognized by the US government as wrongfully detained until December 2024. His family had previously sought to have his release included in other prisoner exchanges, only to be disappointed at his exclusion.

Notably, Fogel’s case drew attention alongside the earlier release of American basketball player Brittney Griner, who was held under similar charges before being exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Fogel, who once taught at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, reportedly taught English to fellow inmates while imprisoned. Following his release, he returned to the US accompanied by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, marking a rare senior diplomatic visit to Russia since the start of the Ukraine conflict.

Waltz indicated that this release signified good faith from Russia, suggesting a potential shift in tensions surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine, while the Biden administration later announced plans for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to travel to Ukraine.

Reflecting on the broader implications, Anne Fogel noted, “These are the giant machinations of world politics at play,” hinting at the intricate ties that may affect future relations and negotiations.