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The United States is releasing Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik as part of the deal to secure Marc Fogel’s freedom, a Trump administration official told Fox News on Wednesday.
Fogel, an American teacher who had been detained in Russia since 2021, was freed on Tuesday. A plane carrying him landed in the U.S. late last night.
Vinnik was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges. He was later extradited to the United States where he pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said the Russian prisoner’s name would be revealed when he returns home.
Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania history teacher who was working at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, returned to U.S. soil on Tuesday night. (The White House via X)
After his arrival in the U.S., Fogel met with President Donald Trump at the White House and called him a hero for securing his release.
“I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. And President Trump is a hero,” Fogel said after meeting Trump.
“These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes,” Fogel continued. “The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor – they got me home – they are heroes.”
Fogel reacts during an event held by President Donald Trump to welcome him back. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
When asked by reporters on Tuesday whether the U.S. had given up anything in return for Fogel, Trump replied “not much” without offering additional details.
Fox News’ Pat Ward, Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report.