Trump’s Special Envoy in the Middle East reveals how us secured Fogel’s release

US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff Said some things were still in the air when he jumped on his jet to Russia to discuss the potential release of American school teacher Marc Fogel.

Witkoff, a long -time friend of President Donald Trump, said Wednesday about “Hannity” that a person who is a communicator between the United States and Russian governments reached with an opportunity to bring Fogel back.

A plan was presented to the president and members of his cabinet, Included national security adviser Mike Waltz and CIA director John Ratcliffe, who considered the information “credible” and “eligible for action.”

Biden Administration Slowly Marc Fogel Designation went as ‘wrongfully detained’, Republicans say

Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania history teacher who worked at the Anglo-American school in Moscow, returned to American soil on Tuesday night, after Russia, where he was detained since 2021, released him after lectures with Trump administration officials. (The white house via x)

Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Witkoff if he knew the ultimate result when he got on the jet.

“You know we thought we had a very, very good chance that Marc came back. We weren’t positive. There were still some things that I’m not free to talk about tonight,” the real estate investor said.

“We thought it was a strong enough opportunity that we had to go, and hopefully we would have a good result. And of course we did. So I am grateful for it and grateful to the Fogel family.”

Fogel was released on Tuesday after he spent about three years in a Russian prison on drug taxes. He was not included in August 2024 Mass -prisoners swap Between the United States and Russia that saw the Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich and the marine veteran Paul Whelan Freed.

This photo published by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, Left, Alsu Kurmasheva, Right and Paul Whelan, second from the right, and others aboard a plane, Thursday, August 1, 2024, after their release from Russian captivity. (White House via AP)

The White House announced the Russian National Alexander Vinnik, which last year pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit money launderingwould be released as part of Fogel Exchange.

Witkoff refused to comment on whether he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his journey.

Fogel met with Trump Late Tuesday night In the White House carrying an American flag killed over his shoulders.

“I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now,” he said, praising the president and his team as “heroes” for securing his release and bringing him home.

Who is Viktor Bout, Russia’s ‘Merchant of Death’ released in prisoners for Brittney laughs?

US President Donald Trump welcomes Marc Fogel back to the United States after being released from Russian custody, in the White House on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, sentenced a 14-year-old prison sentence after being arrested at an airport in Moscow in August 2021 for possessing cannabis, which he allegedly used to treat chronic back pain. He was released earlier today as part of an exchange negotiated by the Trump administration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Click here to get the Fox News app

“I think he (Fogel) squeezed himself, even after three and a half years in prison. I think he considered himself lucky. He is an example of a very, very brave person and I am Glad I had the privilege of meeting him, to know him, ”Witkoff said. “I keep in touch with him and play a little role in getting him his freedom.”