In brief
The Kremlin revealed plans for a reciprocal prisoner release following the return of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, highlighting renewed negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.
The Kremlin disclosed on Wednesday that a Russian national held in the United States will be released "in the coming days," following the recent return of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel. Dmitri S. Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stated that the identification of the imprisoned Russian would be withheld until after the release. He emphasized that discussions between the United States and Russia have been vigorous and productive, culminating in this reciprocal action.Marc Fogel, who was imprisoned for over three years in Russia, arrived back in the U.S. on a private jet on Tuesday, escorted by Steve Witkoff, who has taken on additional responsibilities regarding Russia and its activities in Ukraine. Upon landing, Mr. Fogel was welcomed at the White House by former President Donald Trump, expressing his gratitude for the assistance in arranging his release.The White House referred to Fogel's return as an "exchange," though the specifics regarding which individual or conditions might be tied to the Kremlin's release remain unclear. Fogel, aged 63, had been employed at Moscow's Anglo-American School for nearly a decade before his arrest in August 2021 due to possession of cannabis, reportedly for back pain relief. Convicted of what Russian authorities characterized as “large-scale drug smuggling,” Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in a labor camp in June 2022.Anton Troianovski serves as the Moscow bureau chief for The Times, focusing on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
