From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Trump, Witkoff secure release of US citizen Marc Fogel, detained by Russia since 2021
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump and his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff have secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American teacher who has been detained in Russia since 2021, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announces in a statement.
Waltz says Witkoff and Fogel are currently leaving Russian airspace after Witkoff and several other Trump aides traveled to Moscow in order to negotiate an exchange.
Fogel’s release “serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine,” Waltz says.
“Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States,” Waltz continues. “By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.”
Witkoff holds the Middle East file, but Trump appears to be tasking him with a wide-ranging scope of responsibilities, akin to the way he utilized his son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner during his first term.
