The Kremlin mentioned Wednesday {that a} Russian citizen was freed in the USA in alternate for Moscow’s launch of American Marc Fogel, however refused to establish them till they arrive in Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that the unidentified particular person would return to Russia “within the coming days,” and when they’re on the Russian soil, their title could be revealed — in contrast to throughout previous prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Washington, when Russians and Individuals have been launched concurrently and their identities have been revealed immediately.
Fogel, an American historical past trainer who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been launched and was returned to the U.S. on Tuesday in what the White Home described as a diplomatic thaw that would advance negotiations to finish the warfare in Ukraine. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year jail sentence.
Steve Witkoff, a particular envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel and introduced him to the White Home, the place Trump greeted him.
“I really feel just like the luckiest man on Earth proper now,” Fogel mentioned as he stood subsequent to Trump with an American flag draped round his shoulders.
Fogel, who’s from Pennsylvania and was anticipated to be reunited together with his household by the top of the day, mentioned that he would without end be indebted to Trump.
The president declined to say if he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Fogel, however Fogel praised the Russian chief as “very beneficiant and statesmanlike in granting me a pardon.”
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Requested in regards to the phrases of the deal, Trump mentioned: “Particularly reasonable, very, particularly reasonable, very cheap. Not like offers you’ve seen over time. They have been particularly reasonable.”
He didn’t say what the USA supplied in alternate for Fogel’s launch.
