Rubio says American Marc Fogel freed from Russia due to 'strength' of Trump
FOX NewsFEB 12
US Teacher Released From Russian Prison in Swap
Above: Former detainee Marc Fogel stands with a US flag at the White House after he was freed from Russia on Feb. 11, 2025. Image copyright: Allison Robbert/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American history teacher who spent over three years in Russian custody, Tuesday was released and returned to US soil following a swap negotiated by the Trump administration.
Under the exchange agreement, the US agreed to return Alexander Vinnik, a cybercriminal who had pleaded guilty to money laundering charges involving billions of dollars through cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, to Russia.
US Pres. Donald Trump called the exchange a "show of good faith," while National Security Adviser Michael Waltz said it was "a sign" in the "right direction" toward ending the war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against viewing it as a turning point in US-Russia relations.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Trump has been president for just weeks and he's already succeeded where the Biden administration failed for four years. This shows Trump's skill as a dealmaker and provides hope that he'll be able to negotiate with Russia and soon fulfill his promise to end the war in Ukraine.
Democratic narrative
Trump shouldn't boast about this accomplishment considering he criticized previous prisoner exchanges. This strategy continues to give Russia leverage, and it remains to be seen if Russia will ever concede any of its goals in order to end a war Trump said would end on his first day in office.
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