LONDON — A Russian held in a U.S. jail will likely be repatriated to Russia following the discharge of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who was returned to the United States on Tuesday, Moscow stated.
“In trade for Fogel, a Russian citizen imprisoned in america will likely be returned to Russia within the coming days,” Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, stated on Wednesday.
Peskov didn’t disclose which Russian citizen held in a U.S. jail can be repatriated, however stated america had agreed to the discharge throughout negotiations for the return of Fogel, who had been detained in Russia since 2021.
President Donald Trump didn’t disclose on Tuesday the negotiations that led to Fogel’s launch or say whether or not there had been any conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I can solely say this: We bought a person house whose mom and household wished him desperately,” Trump stated.
Mike Waltz, the White Home nationwide safety adviser, stated in a statement on Tuesday that Washington had “negotiated an trade that serves as a present of excellent religion from the Russians and an indication we’re transferring in the suitable path to finish the brutal and horrible battle in Ukraine.” His assertion didn’t embrace particulars on the trade.
Peskov on Wednesday declined to say whether or not extra prisoner exchanges have been anticipated sooner or later, however stated that “contacts between the related departments have intensified in the previous couple of days.”
Then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in October 2024 that Fogel, an American instructor, had been “wrongfully detained,” the State Division confirmed to ABC Information.
The U.S. tried however was unable to incorporate Fogel in the large prisoner swap in August 2024 that freed Wall Avenue Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, a State Division spokesperson stated final 12 months.
ABC Information’ Joe Simonetti, Michelle Stoddart, Nathan Luna and Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.
