Donald Trump has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for the release of American teacher Mark Fogle, who was released after three and a half years in a Russian prison on drug smuggling charges. Meanwhile, a Fox News host claims that Putin met with a Trump representative, The Washington Post reports, News.bg reports.
“I really appreciate what they did in letting Mark come home“, Trump said as he greeted Fogle on the steps of the White House despite the snowfall.
After returning from Moscow, Fogle's private jet landed at Andrews Air Force Base, where he was greeted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump declined to comment on the details of the exchange, stressing only that the terms were “very fair and reasonable, unlike the deals you've seen under other presidents“. He also said that Fogle's release could be key to ending the war in Ukraine, describing Putin's gesture as an act of generosity.
According to The Washington Post, Fox News host Sean Hannity reported that American entrepreneur Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of Trump, flew to Moscow and held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Putin.
The White House has not commented on the allegations of a meeting with the Russian president, and Russian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on Fogle's release, which Washington describes as a "swap."
Trump also revealed that another American, whose name was not specified, would be released on Wednesday, hinting that it would be a "recognizable name."