Moscow on Tuesday freed an American prisoner after the first-known visit by a member of President Donald Trump's administration to Russia, in a deal the White House called a positive sign for ending the Ukraine war.

The White House said Trump secured the release of Marc Fogel, an American jailed since 2021 on drug charges, as part of an "exchange," without offering further details.

Steve Witkoff, a property developer and friend of Trump who serves as his Middle East envoy, held talks and was "leaving Russian airspace" with Fogel, the White House said.

The US envoy in charge of hostages, Adam Boehler, later posted a picture of Vogel that appeared to show him savoring a stiff drink on a jet home, his other hand clasping both his passport and a plate of food.

"President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President's advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine," US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from Russia, where state-run news agencies quoted the White House announcement.

Russia's Supreme Court in December........

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