Rubio: Trump aims to secure release of "every American jailed in Russia"
Following the release of Marc Fogel, Marco Rubio stated that Donald Trump is dedicated to ensuring the safe return of all Americans held in Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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The US president previously indicated an expectation for another detainee to be released later this week.
US President Donald Trump is focused on ensuring the release of all American citizens held in Russian prisons, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This declaration followed the release of Marc Fogel, a US national and former employee of the US Embassy, who had been sentenced to 14 years for drug trafficking.
Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania, was apprehended at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in August 2021, shortly after losing his diplomatic immunity. Authorities discovered marijuana in his possession, which he identified as medically prescribed.
On Tuesday, Fogel was transported by the plane of Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East. The White House commended the release, calling it a “show of good faith” and expressing that it signifies “we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.”
In response to this development, Rubio remarked that Washington is actively working to liberate more Americans from Russian detention. “Promises made, promises kept. President Trump promised the Fogel family he would bring Marc home, and today, Marc is on his way. After three and a half years of detention in Russia, Marc is finally free. Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia. President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home,” the statement from the State Department noted.
Trump acknowledged the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin in facilitating the deal and confirmed that another detained American would be released on Wednesday, though he did not divulge additional details.
Currently, at least nine Americans remain incarcerated in Russia, facing charges that range from espionage and drug-related offenses to assault allegations. Their sentences vary widely, with prison terms spanning from less than four years to 21 years, according to AP.
Fogel’s release is the first instance of an American detained in Russia being freed during Trump’s second term. The last significant US-Russia prisoner exchange occurred in August 2024, involving 26 individuals in the largest swap since the Cold War.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump is focused on ensuring the release of all American citizens held in Russian prisons, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This declaration followed the release of Marc Fogel, a US national and former employee of the US Embassy, who had been sentenced to 14 years for drug trafficking.
Fogel, a teacher from Pennsylvania, was apprehended at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in August 2021, shortly after losing his diplomatic immunity. Authorities discovered marijuana in his possession, which he identified as medically prescribed.
On Tuesday, Fogel was transported by the plane of Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy for the Middle East. The White House commended the release, calling it a “show of good faith” and expressing that it signifies “we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.”
In response to this development, Rubio remarked that Washington is actively working to liberate more Americans from Russian detention. “Promises made, promises kept. President Trump promised the Fogel family he would bring Marc home, and today, Marc is on his way. After three and a half years of detention in Russia, Marc is finally free. Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia. President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home,” the statement from the State Department noted.
Trump acknowledged the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin in facilitating the deal and confirmed that another detained American would be released on Wednesday, though he did not divulge additional details.
Currently, at least nine Americans remain incarcerated in Russia, facing charges that range from espionage and drug-related offenses to assault allegations. Their sentences vary widely, with prison terms spanning from less than four years to 21 years, according to AP.
Fogel’s release is the first instance of an American detained in Russia being freed during Trump’s second term. The last significant US-Russia prisoner exchange occurred in August 2024, involving 26 individuals in the largest swap since the Cold War.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
