Russia has released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained since 2021, following an unannounced diplomatic visit to Moscow by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. President Donald Trump confirmed Fogel’s release, describing it as a goodwill gesture from Russia.
Fogel, 63, was serving a 14-year sentence for drug smuggling, after being detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in August 2021 with 17 grams of marijuana, which he claimed was for medical use. His release comes as Trump works to strengthen relations with Moscow while seeking an end to the Ukraine war.
Trump told reporters that Fogel would visit the White House upon his return to the U.S. and that he was reunited with his family on Tuesday night. A photo posted by Trump’s chief hostage envoy Adam Boehler showed Fogel aboard a plane, holding a glass of wine and his U.S. passport.
When asked what the U.S. gave up in exchange for Fogel’s release, Trump responded, “Not much”, framing the move as a sign of good faith from Russia.
Fogel’s Russian lawyer confirmed his release but said it was unclear on what legal grounds he was freed. He had been moved from a prison in Rybinsk to a pre-trial detention center in Moscow ahead of his release.
Fogel had previously been excluded from the August 2024 prisoner swap, which saw 16 prisoners freed from Russia in exchange for eight sent back from the West.
Trump has hinted at ongoing talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and described “good progress” toward resolving the Ukraine conflict, though he has not provided specifics.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday reaffirmed that Ukraine would not cede any of its territory, stressing that “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers”.
Kazakhstan has started construction of its first nuclear power plant near Ulken village, with completion expected in 2035-2036.
A fire broke out at Cordoba’s historic mosque-cathedral on the night of 8 August but was swiftly extinguished, preventing damage to one of Spain’s most treasured architectural landmarks.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
Chinese automaker Chery has denied an industry-ministry audit that disqualified more than $53 million in state incentives for thousands of its electric and hybrid vehicles, insisting it followed official guidance and committed no fraud.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday reaffirmed that Ukraine would not cede any of its territory, stressing that “Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers”.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The summit, confirmed by the Kremlin, is expected to focus on a long-term peaceful resolution.
According to Bloomberg News, the United States and Russia are working toward an agreement aimed at halting the war in Ukraine by formalising Russia’s occupation of territories seized during its invasion.
A fire broke out at Cordoba’s historic mosque-cathedral on the night of 8 August but was swiftly extinguished, preventing damage to one of Spain’s most treasured architectural landmarks.
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