US President Donald Trump accepted the American citizen Mark Vogel in the White House, who has been in custody in Russia since 2021.
Speaking in the Oval office, Trump said that the release of Vogel could play an important role in the termination of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“This evening can be a turning point in the way to the end of the war,” the US President emphasized.
According to him, the conflict has already carried away the life of “one and a half million military and young people”, and he called what was happening on the battlefield “horror.”
Trump also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for this step, but did not answer the question of whether his attitude towards the Russian leader changed.
In addition, the American president hinted that another person could be released from the imprisonment in Russia, but did not reveal the details.
Mark Vogel, commenting on his liberation, expressed gratitude to those who contributed to his return.
“I am not a hero, the heroes are those who fought for my freedom. President Donald Trump is a hero,” he said.
The official representative of the White House earlier said that Vogel was released “as a gesture of goodwill.”
The American was detained in August 2021 at the airport at the entrance to Russia.
In his baggage, narcotic substances were discovered, after which he was sentenced to 14 years in prison.