**Kremlin Confirms U.S. Will Return Russian Held in American Facilities**

In a significant diplomatic development, the Kremlin has revealed plans to release a Russian citizen detained in the United States as a direct consequence of the recently brokered return of American educator Marc Fogel, marking a potential thaw in relations between the two nations.

Russia has indicated that an unnamed Russian prisoner in the United States will be freed “in the coming days,” following the return of Marc Fogel, an educator who faced charges in Russia for drug-related offenses. Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, disclosed to journalists during a press briefing that intense negotiations had occurred, resulting in “both the release of Fogel as well as one of the citizens of the Russian Federation currently held in detention facilities in the United States.” The Russian official did not provide details about the identity of the detained Russian, stating that such information would be revealed post-release. American officials refrained from commenting immediately after the Kremlin's announcement.

Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned in Russia for over three years, arrived back in the U.S. Tuesday via a private flight arranged by Steve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy on Middle Eastern affairs, whose role has expanded to encompass relations with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Upon his arrival, Fogel received a warm welcome from President Trump, who he credited for his release, although the specifics of the exchange between the two countries remain unclear.

Fogel's legal troubles began in August 2021 when he was detained in Moscow for carrying cannabis, which he claimed was for medical purposes to manage his back pain. He was subsequently convicted in June 2022 for what Russian authorities termed “large-scale drug smuggling,” resulting in a 14-year sentence. This recent turn of events marks a notable point in U.S.-Russia relations, hinting at a possible shift away from earlier tensions.