Quotes
Such agreements were preceded by meticulous work. Although such agreements are unlikely to become a turning point, they still represent important steps towards strengthening mutual trust, which is currently at its lowest point,
Peskov said
Work has been intensified and contacts have been established between the relevant departments. The result of these contacts was the release of Fogel, as well as one of the citizens of the Russian Federation who is currently being held in prison in the United States of America."
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, saidI want to thank President Trump for successfully securing Marc’s release,
Kelly said in a statement
I think there’s goodwill, in terms of the war,
Trump said as he greeted Marc Fogel, a school teacher held in Russia since 2021
I don’t want to say that, I just want to say that I appreciate very much what they did in letting Mark go home.”
Asked if he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the matter, Trump respondedIt could be a big, important part of getting the war over with Ukraine
Trump said
My family has been a force, my 95-year-old mother is probably the most dynamic right now.”
He also thanked his family for their support, saying
I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. President Trump is a hero,
Fogel said
I think I remember a Churchill quote that he said when the RAF was fighting the Luftwaffe, he said, ‘Never have so many owed so much, to so few.’ And I put myself, fortunately and unfortunately, into that category,
Fogel continuedIt had me in hospitals for than 100 days,
Fogel saidThese men who came from the diplomatic service are heroes,
he addedWe were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that's the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House earlier Tuesday, Trump said
We will deliver our expectation to the allies,
Kellogg saidVery fair, very, very fair, very reasonable. Not like deals you’ve seen over the years. They were very fair.”
Asked about the terms of the deal, Trump saidTo me, he looks damned good."
Standing beside Fogel at the White House, Trump remarked
President Trump secured Marc's release in just a few weeks, wasting no time in taking decisive action to bring Marc home,
his lawyers said in a statement to CBS NewsPROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!"
Following his arrival in the U.S., the White House shared a post on X with the messageThank you all, and I love our country, and I’m so happy to be back here. And I wish I could articulate it better,
Fogel said
I feel like the luckiest man on Earth right now,
Fogel said as he stood next to Trump
I am in awe of what they all did,
Fogel said