Washington, Feb 11 (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump received an American teacher Tuesday at the White House after his release by Russia, having been detained in the country since August 2021.
“Welcome home,” Trump wrote on his X , along with a video showing Marc Fogel’s arrival at the White House, on a snowy night in the capital.
“I feel like the luckiest man in the world right now,” the American said from inside the White House after greeting Trump.
Foge was arrested in August 2021 by Russian authorities for trying to bring medical cannabis into the country. In June 2022, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
“My family has been a force (of ) (…) all the love I received is what sustained me for three and a half years in prison,” said Fogel, who hung an American flag around his neck and thanked Trump and State Secretary Marco Rubio.
Trump said “everyone knows Marc” and that he is a “very famous man, and he is very happy today.”
The president also told reporters he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the process of bringing Fogel to the US and that he sees his release as a step toward ending the war in Ukraine.
“I think it could be an important part of ending the war. We appreciate what President Putin did,” the president said, adding that another American would be released Wednesday. EFE
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