Wed Feb 12 15:54:29 UTC 2025: ## US Teacher Freed in Prisoner Swap with Russia; Trump Calls it Potential Step Towards Ending Ukraine War

**Washington/Moscow, Feb 13, 2025** – American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, serving a 14-year sentence in Russia for drug smuggling, has been released in a prisoner exchange with Moscow. The Kremlin confirmed the release of a Russian citizen in exchange for Fogel, who was flown to Washington D.C. on Tuesday and celebrated his freedom with former US President Donald Trump at the White House.

While details regarding the released Russian citizen remain undisclosed, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the individual would return home in the coming days. Peskov downplayed the significance of the exchange as a major turning point in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, but described it as a step towards building trust between the two nations.

Trump, however, hailed the prisoner swap as a “big important part” of potentially ending the three-year-old war. He and Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed interest in a summit to discuss Trump’s proposals for resolving the conflict, though no date has been set. Trump described the terms of the exchange as “very fair,” claiming the US gave up “not much” in return.

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz characterized the exchange as a gesture of good faith from Russia and a positive step towards ending the war. Trump hinted at the release of another individual on Wednesday but did not provide further details. He expressed hope that the exchange would mark the beginning of a relationship that could lead to the conclusion of the war.

News of the prisoner swap boosted the Russian rouble against the dollar, reflecting market optimism regarding a potential de-escalation of tensions in Ukraine. Fogel’s release was facilitated by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who reportedly met with Putin in Moscow.

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