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.”
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Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released 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.
Fogel arrived 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.”
Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison sentence. His family and supporters said he had been traveling with medically prescribed marijuana, and he was designated by President Joe Biden’s administration as wrongfully detained in December.
Asked whether the US had given up anything in return, Trump replied “not much” but did not elaborate.
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.
There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.