Marc Fogel, an American detained in Russia since 2021, returned to the United States on Tuesday.

Fogel, a history teacher at Moscow’s Anglo-American School, was released following negotiations involving the Trump administration.

He had been serving a 14-year sentence after his August 2021 arrest at a Russian airport for possession of what his family described as medically prescribed marijuana.

A White House social media post showed Fogel, smiling and raising a fist, wrapped in an American flag upon his arrival.

“MARC FOGEL IS BACK!!! PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!!!” the White House announced on X.

Upon his return, the Pennsylvania native met President Trump at the White House, crediting the former president with securing his release.

“I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. And President Trump is a hero,” Fogel stated.

“These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes,” Fogel continued. “The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor – they got me home – they are heroes.”

Fogel added: “I am in awe of what they all did.”

He expressed feeling “like the luckiest man on Earth right now.”

Trump’s national security advisor, Michael Waltz, confirmed a U.S.-Russia negotiation resulting in Fogel’s release, though details of the U.S. concessions remained undisclosed. Past negotiations have involved prisoner exchanges.

When questioned about potential U.S. concessions, Trump responded “not much,” offering no further specifics.

Fogel’s family expressed gratitude to Trump and others involved in his release.

“We are beyond grateful, relieved, and overwhelmed that after more than three years of detention, our father, husband, and son, Marc Fogel, is finally coming home,” the family stated.

“Thanks to the unwavering leadership of President Trump, Marc will soon be back on American soil, free where he belongs. This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” the statement concluded.