The White House announced Tuesday that Donald Trump‘s special envoy Steve Witkoff had secured the release of detained American Marc Fogel from Russia on a secret trip to the country.    

‘Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia,’ according to a statement by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

‘President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that 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,’ it said.

‘By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership.’

It comes after Trump has made a series of coy statements about speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and about recent contacts between the U.S. and Russian sides. 

The American teacher was classified as ‘wrongfully detained’ during the Biden administration and has received a 14 year prison sentence.

Authorities found marijuana in his luggage on his 2021 arrival at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow. His family said he had a medical marijuana prescription, and that the amount – less than 20 grams – was to treat a spinal condition.

President Donald Trump has been coy about administration contacts with Russia. His special envoy is returning from Russia with detained American Marc Fogel, who was being held in penal colony on a 14-year sentence

The former United States Embassy Moscow worker was arrested in 2021 and convicted of drug smuggling. He has been left out of previous negotiations to free American held in Russia.

That included two separate swaps to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The Griner exchange handed over ‘merchant of death’ arms deal Viktor Bout.

Fogel’s sister Anne has been active online calling for his release, and organizing supporters to hold up signs and pressure officials. 

Trump vowed to continue to push to free Americans held abroad. On Tuesday once again commented on the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza. He demanded the release the remainder by noon on Saturday or there would be ‘hell to pay.’

Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer served as Trump’s envoy to help seal deal to Gaza ceasefire hostage release deal, which came together in the last days of the Biden administration with his involvement. 

Marc Fogel, an American private school teacher from from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who was jailed in Russia after being caught with a medical marijuana prescription in 2021. He is returning home to the US, the White House said

Trump has called for better relations with Russia. He confirmed a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, without saying when it happened

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin as president, but he did not clarify when.

‘I’ve had it. Let’s just say I’ve had it…And I expect to have many more conversations. We have to get that war ended.’

He has made repeated statements about ending the bloodshed in Russia’s war on Ukraine. But he has also made comments that appeared to undercut the Ukrainian position.

After the Biden administration shipped billions in military aid, Trump is calling for Ukraine to provide $500B in rare earth minerals in exchange. 

In an unusual comment Monday, Trump said Ukraine ‘may be Russian someday.’ 

‘They (Ukraine) may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,’ Trump said. 

That comes in the context of some Trump advisors saying Ukraine should cede territory seized by Russia in its war in exchange for peace.

Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich on Friday.