Putin Pardons and releases American Citizen
Donald Trump described the terms of the agreement with Russia on the American’s return as fair and reasonable
An American citizen Marc Fogel has been pardoned by Putin and released by the Russian Government. US President Donald Trump said that United States highly appreciates the action.
“I appreciate very much what they did, letting Mark go home,” he said during a meeting with Fogel at the White House.
Fogel, in turn, noted that Russian President Vladimir “was very generous and statesmanlike in granting me a pardon”.
Fogel, a lecturer at an Anglo-American school in Moscow, previously worked at the US Embassy in Russia. He and his wife had diplomatic status until May 2021. He was detained upon arrival in Moscow from New York on August 14, 2021.
At Sheremetyevo Airport, he was stopped by customs officers while walking through the “green corridor” because of the reaction of service dogs to his luggage. Marijuana and hash oil were found in the American’s luggage.
Investigators suspected that Fogel had previously used his diplomatic status to smuggle drugs into Russia for distribution to schoolchildren. Fogel was sentenced by Court to 14 years in prison for drug smuggling.
Trump described the terms of the agreement with Russia on the American’s return as fair and reasonable and alluded to the fact that somebody else could be released on Wednesday, but did not explain who he was talking about or where this would happen.
The release of American citizen Marc Fogel by the Russian authorities could become a very important component in the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, said Trump.
“I think this could be a very important element,” Trump noted, speaking about Fogel’s release.”
This could be a big, important part in getting the war over with Ukraine,” Trump added during a meeting with Fogel at the White House.
“I think we have made great progress,” he stressed, referring to the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
The US leader also expressed confidence that there is “good will” in the process, but did not provide details. He once again assured that he is committed to ending the conflict.
