|
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the
unidentified individual would return to Russia “in the coming
days,” and when they are on the Russian soil, their name would
be revealed — unlike during past prisoner exchanges between
Moscow and Washington, when Russians and Americans were released
simultaneously and their identities were revealed right away.
Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully
detained by Russia, has been released and was returned to the
U.S. on Tuesday in what the White House described as a
diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war
in Ukraine. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a
14-year prison sentence.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump,
left Russia with Fogel and brought him to the White House, where
Trump greeted him.
“I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,” Fogel said as
he stood next to Trump with an American flag draped around his
shoulders.
Fogel, who is from Pennsylvania and was expected to be reunited
with his family by the end of the day, said that he would
forever be indebted to Trump.
The president declined to say if he spoke with Russian President
Vladimir Putin about Fogel, but Fogel praised the Russian leader
as “very generous and statesmanlike in granting me a pardon.”
Asked about the terms of the deal, Trump said: “Very fair, very,
very fair, very reasonable. Not like deals you’ve seen over the
years. They were very fair.”
He didn't say what the United States provided in exchange for
Fogel’s release.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
