Trump welcomes the school issued by Russia
Donald Trump welcomed the home of the American school teacher, Mark Vogel, after his release from prison in Russia, where US President Vladimir Putin had obtained a “lot” in return.
Trump said another detainee will be released on Wednesday without giving his name.
Mr. Vogel, a former 63 -year -old diplomat, fell at Andrews’ joint base outside Washington, late on Tuesday evening, before traveling to the White House.
Mike Walz, US National Security Adviser, said earlier, said that he was rejoicing as part of an exchange with Russia. Russia did not comment on the release immediately.
“For me, it looks good,” said Trump, who stands next to Mr. Vogel at the White House.
He told reporters that the release was “a goodwill” of the Russians and that “it could be an important part” to end the war of Russia in Ukraine.
“We have been treated very well by Russia,” he said. “In fact, I hope this is the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war and millions of people can stop killing.”
It is believed that hundreds of thousands of people, most of whom were soldiers, were killed because Russia has invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago.
Trump described that the prisoner’s description with Russia was “very fair and very reasonable”, “another person is released tomorrow.”
“I feel the most fortunate on Earth now,” said Mr. Vogel. “I am a middle -class school teacher who is now in the world of dreams.”
The sister of Mr. Vogel, Anne Fawel, told the BBC earlier, her brother, who was arrested in Russia in 2021, was transferred last Wednesday from a criminal colony in Ribinsk. She said that the family knew that his release was a possibility, but also the negotiations were “very weak.”
After landing on the American soil, the White House published X: “The promises that were made, and their promises!” Along with the image of Mr. Vogel.
In a statement obtained from CBS News, the BBC, his wife, Jin and his two sons, Ethan Wissam, said: “This was the darkest and most painful period in our lives, but today, we start recovery.”
Mr. Vogel was arrested at an illegal possession of cannabis in 2021.
He was charged with carrying a small amount of medical marijuana, which was described in the United States, and was granted a 14 -year prison sentence.
Mr. Vogel’s legal team thanked Trump for his role in negotiating and criticized what they called “Bureaucrat” by Biden Administration.
A statement from his lawyer said.
Mr. Vogel was not classified by the United States government as incorrectly detained until December 2024, although his sentence began in 2022.
His family tried to push former President Joe Biden to secure his release, and she was disappointed when he was excluded from the exchange of prisoners in 2022 and 2024.
American basketball star Britney Grener, who was arrested in Russia, was accused of hemp in 2022, He was released in an exchange to confront Russian weapons VIKTOR after 10 months.
After that, the Biden administration obtained the issuance of three other Americans last year as part of The largest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The Americans, who were released, were the Wall Street Journal Evan Girschovic, the American naval veteran Paul Willian, and the American -Russian radio journalist Alsu Kurmheva.
Ann Fujel BBC said At the time of feeling “betrayal” when she learned that her brother was not included in the exchange of prisoners – which Biden had praised “an achievement of diplomacy.”
Mr. Vogel, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a teacher at the American Moscow School. He had previously worked as a diplomat at the American embassy there.
While he was in prison, he was said to have taught the English language for his prisoners.
It is not clear whether the United States has launched a person against Mr. Vogel.
Mr. Vogel has returned to the United States with Steve Whitchov, Trump’s private envoy to the Middle East.
Wittouf’s trip to Russia is the first by a senior American official in the country for several years. Most communication between countries was closed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Waltz said that the launch of Mr. Vogel was “a sign that we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Not provided more details.
Trump announced earlier on Tuesday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessin will travel to Ukraine later this week.
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.
But in an interview with Fox News on Monday, he said: “They are [Ukraine] A deal may be made, they may not have an agreement. They may one day be Russian or may not be Russian one day. “
In response to a question from the British Broadcasting Corporation about the link set by officials between the release and the conflict in Ukraine, Anne Vogel said: “These are the giant intrigues of the global policy in playing. It will be interesting to look at this back and know how this is all that suits and. How does history play. “
