WASHINGTON -- An American teacher serving a 14-year sentence in Russia on charges of marijuana possession has been freed in an exchange that the White House said "serves as a show of good faith from the Russians" as the United States seeks a settlement to end the war in Ukraine.
A statement from the national-security adviser on February 11 said the release of Marc Fogel was also a "sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine."
The statement said special envoy Steve Witkoff was leaving Russian airspace with Fogel, who was detained by Russian police in 2021 upon arrival in Moscow for possession of medical marijuana he says was prescribed to him after back surgery. He was sentenced a year later.
Fogel, who taught at the Anglo-American School in the Russian capital following a stint at the U.S. Embassy, had been passed over in previous U.S.-Russia prisoner swaps.
The White House described his release as part of an "exchange" but did not say what the United States had given in return.
President Donald Trump answered "not much" when he was asked by a reporter at the White House what Russia had received in exchange.
"We were treated very nicely by the Russians," Trump said. "Actually, I hope that's the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war."
In August 2024, Russia, the United States, and several other countries carried out the largest prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War, freeing 16 people, including RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
Those freed also included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan.
Eight Russians were returned home in that exchange.
