**US President Donald Trump Meets with Freed Schoolteacher**
US President Donald Trump met with Marc Fogel, a US schoolteacher freed from a Russian prison on February 11. The teacher was arrested in Russia in 2021 for possessing medical marijuana.
Fogel’s release comes after the US government classified him as “unjustly detained” in December 2024, increasing diplomatic efforts to secure his freedom.
**Trump Hints at Future Deals**
During a meeting with Fogel at the White House, Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for releasing the teacher. He also hinted that future deals between Russia and the US could be made possible.
“There’s good will in terms of the war,” Trump said when asked about the potential for peace talks in Ukraine. “You (Fogel) could be a big part of it, actually, because it could be a big, important part of getting the war over with Ukraine.”
**Russia-Ukraine War**
The meeting comes as Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction.
US officials have condemned many of these arrests as unjust and politically motivated. Russia has detained several US nationals since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with many serving lengthy sentences or awaiting trial.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is open to further prisoner exchanges with the US. The Ukrainian military also reported intercepting six out of seven missiles launched by Russia on February 12, killing one person and injuring four others.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he plans to exchange territories if a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is reached through negotiations led by Trump.
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