US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has left Russia along with released American detainee Marc Fogel. This is noted in a White House statement from US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

According to him, Fogel was released as a result of an exchange, but it is not specified with whom he was exchanged.

The statement noted that the American authorities view this exchange as a “show of good faith” on the part of Russia, as well as a positive signal towards the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.

Discussions on the possible release of Fogel were held at the presidential level; Donald Trump, as well as his close advisors, including Steve Witkoff, had participated in the respective negotiations.

In 2022, a Russian court had sentenced Marc Fogel to 14 years in prison on drug trafficking charges. He had pleaded guilty in court.