Russia releases imprisoned American Marc Fogel in what US calls a step toward the end of Ukraine war
Updated: 11:15 PM EST Feb 11, 2025
Everybody knows Mark. He’s become *** very famous guy. He’s *** very happy guy tonight, so it’s, uh, it’s just *** real honor, an honor to have you at the White House. I, I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now. And uh I want you to know that I am not *** hero in this at all. And President Trump is *** hero. These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes. The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor to get me home are the heroes. Uh, I’m in awe of what they all did. Uh, my family has been *** force. I think my 95 year old mother is probably The most dynamic 95 year old on earth right now. And uh I am so indebted to so many people. I, I think I remember *** *** Churchill quote that he said when the RAF was fighting the Luftwaffe and he said that uh never have so many owed so much. To so few and I put myself fortunately and unfortunately into that category and I said never has one owed so much to so many that this super organism of people that came to my support. And the love that I was given. Sustain sustained me for 3.5 years in *** prison that had me in hospitals for more than 100 days. I was given more than 400 injections in that time and knowing I had the support of my fellow Pennsylvanians, my family, my friends. Uh, it was so overwhelming that, uh, Uh, it brought me to my knees and it brought me to tears, but it was, uh, it was my energy, it was my Being that that kept me going that whole time and I will forever be indebted. President Trump. To Steve over there, what *** dynamic man this guy is. When I met him, the energy, the can-do attitude just. Exudes from his body and when he smiled at me and introduced me and I got the feel for what has happened, you know, it’s not just me, it’s, it’s everybody and and Secretary Rubio, who met my son *** while back. Uh, I, I, I’m. I’m *** middle class school teacher who’s now. Mm In *** *** dream world We’re gonna show you the Lincoln bedroom in *** little while. It’s *** very special, special place appropriate for today, very appropriate. And um Thank you all and I love our country. And I’m so happy to be back here. And I wish I could articulate it better. You’ve done beautifully and uh he’s got *** great mother, and when I saw the mother at *** rally, she said, would you, if you win, will you get my son out? And I promise she’s 95 years old. And I said we’ll get them out and we got them out pretty quickly. She told me that that exact words she made quite an impression, and you also did and uh I’m I’m in awe of what you’ve done and your team. It’s great to have you back and have *** great life. Did you speak to President Putin? Well, I don’t want to say that. I just want to say that I appreciate very much what they did and letting Mark go home. And uh I appreciate Steve Witkoff, the job he did in Marco behind the scenes was unbelievable. And so many of these people were unbelievable. They, they represent him. They’re from his area, uh, and, uh, we, we just wanted to get him back home. I, I had to get him back home because I would have big trouble with his mother and, and we’re gonna take him for *** little tour of the Lincoln bedroom which nobody gets to see. And it’s very special. Do you want to see it? I would love to, and I, I also should make mention that that President Putin was very generous and statesmanlike in granting me uh uh *** pardon. I, I mean. What were the terms of this deal, Mr. President? Very fair, very, very fair, very reasonable, not like deals you’ve seen over the years. They were very fair. And I think that’s gonna lead and we’re somebody else is being released tomorrow that you will know of, but we wanted to get this done very important, and Steve wanted to actually fly over and get Mark and get him home properly because it could be *** pretty tough trip. So is this the beginning of *** deal, I think there’s goodwill in terms of the war, you know, 1.5 million soldiers, young people have been killed. I’ve met many of them. Yeah, and it’s uh it’s *** terrible thing going on so we want to get that done. I think, I think this could be the very important element. You could be *** big part of it actually because it could be *** big important part of getting the war over with Ukraine. And we appreciate President Putin’s, uh, what he, what he did. He was, uh, able to pull it off for you, right? He was able to pull it off, we, we think, and you’re here, I’m here, so it was great. Uh, we’ll tell you *** little bit more about it tomorrow, but I think we’ve made great progress, progress on the war also getting the war. I want to get the war ended that war should not have been. It would have never happened if I was president. It would not have happened. And it did happen and now you have all blown up cities and dead people, uh, so many dead people should have never ever happened and, uh, you could be *** big catalyst for Just this evening it’s *** very important evening for ending that war, and I think they all want to see it ended. How does it change your perspective on Putin and I don’t want to get into that. I only can say this, we got *** man home whose mother and family wanted him desperately, whose state wanted him. He’s, he’s become *** big symbol. And uh it’s an honor to have played *** small role in that and I just uh I wanna tell you these people they, they all played *** role and we got him home and he’s he’s healthy. It looks good actually to me you look damn good I’ll tell you that. I think we’ll expect. that helps *** little bit, you know, I think I need *** little bit of time to sort of digest all of that. There were times when It was extremely trying, there were times when I could manage it, but I, I think I need some more time to You know, it wasn’t, it wasn’t easy, right? It wasn’t easy. Every second, every minute, every day had *** challenge, but you’re, but you’re in good shape. I mean compare that to what we saw two days ago come home. They were very, very ill. Those people are very ill. They were treated really badly. Mr. President, your predecessor left you almost $4 billion in unused, uh, aid for Ukraine to Ukraine. Are you gonna use those money? Are you gonna see my predecessor should have had this gentleman out *** long time ago. You know, we did it in 2.5 weeks. He’s, he had 4 years to do it. He should have had Mark out *** lot earlier. It’s uh it’s *** shame, it’s *** shame. It was very, you should have had never had the war to start off with. Should have never had that war would have never happened to president, but he should have had him back 3.5 years ago, so it was, it was too bad, but he didn’t do it, but we did it. Thank you all very much. Thank you very much.
Russia releases imprisoned American Marc Fogel in what US calls a step toward the end of Ukraine war
Updated: 11:15 PM EST Feb 11, 2025
Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released and returned to the U.S. in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, and brought him to the White House, where Trump greeted him.“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said at the White House as he stood next to Trump with an American flag draped around his shoulders.Fogel, who was expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day, said he would forever be indebted to Trump.Trump said another American would be released on Wednesday, though he declined to name the person or say what country, only saying it was someone “very special.”Bringing Marc home Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony in 2022 for drug trafficking after he was arrested for possessing medical marijuana, which was prescribed by a doctor in the United States.Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel, has been fighting to bring her son home since his arrest. In June of last year, a bipartisan resolution was passed by the Senate calling for his release.At the time, Malphine Fogel told sister station WTAE, “He has missed so much with his family. His youngest son graduated from college. Of course, you didn’t see that. The birthdays and wedding anniversary and, you know, it’s just really, really hard.”Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro was one of many political leaders in the commonwealth to speak out following the news of Marc’s release:”After more than 3 years in Russian captivity, I join his family, our federal partners, and all of his fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Marc Fogel home — exactly where he belongs. Thank you to those at the @WhiteHouse who made his release possible, and to his wife Jane, mom, siblings, and kids here in Pennsylvania who never, ever gave up.”Details of exchange are limitedMichael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel’s release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies.Waltz said the development was “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.Trump also has talked about having a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last month, Trump said his administration was having “very serious” conversations with Russia about the war.Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”Asked whether the U.S. had given up anything in return, Trump replied “not much” but did not elaborate.Fogel’s relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.The U.S., Russia and other nations carried out a large prisoner swap in August that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan, among others.But that deal left out numerous other Americans jailed in Russia, including Fogel. Some omitted then were also not included in Tuesday’s release, including several who have had major milestones in their cases since then.Other Americans still detainedAmong them is U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, who was convicted of treason in a Russian court shortly after last August’s prisoner swap and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. John Kirby, a national security spokesman at the Biden White House at that time, called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”Last October, American Robert Gilman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in Russia for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers while serving a sentence for another assault, while American Stephen Hubbard was sentenced to prison in a closed trial for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.As the Russia-Ukraine war nears the end of its third year, Trump’s plan for securing an end to the conflict remains unclear, though he has said that both sides will need to make concessions and suggested that Ukraine would have to accept the loss of at least some territory.Fogel’s release and Trump’s announcement that he will send Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s leaders could signal that plans may be beginning to take shape.Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will all be traveling later this week to the Munich Security Conference, where the situation in Ukraine will be a major topic of discussion.Kellogg told The Associated Press on Monday that he and the others would be talking to European officials about the very broad outlines of what Trump would like to see and gauging their interest.“We will deliver our expectation to the allies,” Kellogg said. “When we come back from Munich — we want to deliver to the president the options, so when he does get (directly) involved in the peace process, he knows what it will look like for him.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released and returned to the U.S. in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, and brought him to the White House, where Trump greeted him.
“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said at the White House as he stood next to Trump with an American flag draped around his shoulders.
Fogel, who was expected to be reunited with his family by the end of the day, said he would forever be indebted to Trump.
Trump said another American would be released on Wednesday, though he declined to name the person or say what country, only saying it was someone “very special.”
Bringing Marc home
Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony in 2022 for drug trafficking after he was arrested for possessing medical marijuana, which was prescribed by a doctor in the United States.
Fogel’s mother, Malphine Fogel, has been fighting to bring her son home since his arrest. In June of last year, a bipartisan resolution was passed by the Senate calling for his release.
At the time, Malphine Fogel told sister station WTAE, “He has missed so much with his family. His youngest son graduated from college. Of course, you didn’t see that. The birthdays and wedding anniversary and, you know, it’s just really, really hard.”
Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro was one of many political leaders in the commonwealth to speak out following the news of Marc’s release:
“After more than 3 years in Russian captivity, I join his family, our federal partners, and all of his fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Marc Fogel home — exactly where he belongs. Thank you to those at the @WhiteHouse who made his release possible, and to his wife Jane, mom, siblings, and kids here in Pennsylvania who never, ever gave up.”
Details of exchange are limited
Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel’s release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies.
Waltz said the development was “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.
Trump also has talked about having a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last month, Trump said his administration was having “very serious” conversations with Russia about the war.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”
Asked whether the U.S. had given up anything in return, Trump replied “not much” but did not elaborate.
Fogel’s relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.
“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”
There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.
The U.S., Russia and other nations carried out a large prisoner swap in August that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American corporate security executive Paul Whelan, among others.
But that deal left out numerous other Americans jailed in Russia, including Fogel. Some omitted then were also not included in Tuesday’s release, including several who have had major milestones in their cases since then.
Other Americans still detained
Among them is U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, who was convicted of treason in a Russian court shortly after last August’s prisoner swap and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. John Kirby, a national security spokesman at the Biden White House at that time, called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”
Last October, American Robert Gilman was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in Russia for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers while serving a sentence for another assault, while American Stephen Hubbard was sentenced to prison in a closed trial for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
As the Russia-Ukraine war nears the end of its third year, Trump’s plan for securing an end to the conflict remains unclear, though he has said that both sides will need to make concessions and suggested that Ukraine would have to accept the loss of at least some territory.
Fogel’s release and Trump’s announcement that he will send Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s leaders could signal that plans may be beginning to take shape.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, will all be traveling later this week to the Munich Security Conference, where the situation in Ukraine will be a major topic of discussion.
Kellogg told The Associated Press on Monday that he and the others would be talking to European officials about the very broad outlines of what Trump would like to see and gauging their interest.
“We will deliver our expectation to the allies,” Kellogg said. “When we come back from Munich — we want to deliver to the president the options, so when he does get (directly) involved in the peace process, he knows what it will look like for him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
