Marc Fogel, an American professor arrested in Russia, was released after negotiations led by Steve Witkoff, sent from Trump in a gesture that can improve US-Russian relations
Marc Fogel, an American professor in Russia for over three years for medical marijuana possession, was released on Tuesday after negotiations led by Steve Witkoff, special sent from President Donald Trump to the Middle East.
Fogel’s liberation is seen as a gesture of goodwill from Russia toward the new US government and can pave the way for discussions about the end of the war in Ukraine.
MARC Fogel Detention and Liberation
Marc Fogel was arrested in August 2021 while trying to enter Russia with medicinal marijuana, prescribed to treat chronic pain. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in June 2022, but was only classified as “unjustly detained” by the Biden government in late 2024. Liberation occurred after weeks of secret negotiations conducted by Witkoff, a billionaire from real estate and close friend of Trump.
Fogel was taken from Russia on a private Witkoff plane in an agreement that did not detail whether there was a change of prisoners or other concessions. Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor, stated that liberation is a “good -faith sign” of the Russians and a step in the right direction to end the war in Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff’s role in negotiations
Steve Witkoff, originally sent to the Middle East, had his role expanded by Trump to include negotiations with Russia. He already kept in touch with close allies of Vladimir Putin and discussed the war in Ukraine with representatives of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, countries that seek to mediate conflict.
Fogel release occurs at a time of attempts to approach Trump and Putin. The Russian President publicly praised Trump after his inauguration, and it is believed that both can gather soon to discuss the future of Ukraine.
Tensions in the Ukraine War
While Trump seeks a quick solution to the conflict, Putin has resisted concessions, betting on exhaustion of Western support to Ukraine. Trump promised during the election campaign to end the war “in 24 hours”, but so far has not presented a clear plan.
He suggested that Ukraine could compensate for the US for military aid with access to rare land minerals, a proposal that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was willing to consider.
However, Trump expressed skepticism about Zelensky and reluctant to offer safety guarantees to Ukraine. In a recent interview, he raised doubts about the future of Ukrainian sovereignty, stating that the country “can become Russian someday.”
Reactions and next steps
Marc Fogel’s family thanked Trump for ensuring his release. “We are beyond grateful and relieved that, after more than three years of detention, our father, husband and son, Marc Fogel, is finally returning home,” they said in a statement.
Fogel’s release is also seen as a change in Russian posture compared to American prisoners. During the Biden government, Putin was less willing to make concessions, as shown in an interview with Tucker Carlson in 2024.
Meanwhile, Trump government representatives should discuss their plans to Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Special envoy Keith Kellogg and Vice President JD Vance are among the participants, and a meeting between Trump and Zelensky may take place soon.
With information from The New York Times*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/02/11/professor-americano-e-libertado-na-russia-apos-negociacao-de-trump/
