US releases accused Russian money launderer in exchange for Marc Fogel

The United States has released Alexander Vinnik, an accused Russian money launderer, in exchange for Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen detained in Russia since 2021, a Trump administration source told our correspondent. Vinnik, who allegedly ran a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency exchange linked to cybercriminals, drug dealers, and identity thieves, had been extradited to the U.S. in 2022 after serving a five-year sentence for money laundering in France. As part of the deal, Vinnik is required to forfeit money seized by the U.S. government.

Fogel’s release comes as President Donald Trump seeks to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Trump suggested that the prisoner exchange was a *”good faith”* gesture from Russia. A day later, he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced that peace negotiations would begin *”immediately.”*

Shortly after Fogel’s release, another American was freed from Belarus. The unnamed individual, detained in September 2024, was among three political prisoners released Wednesday. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Chris Smith, who oversees U.S.-Belarus relations, described the operation: *”We just crossed into the Belarusian frontier, went into Minsk to meet with Belarusian counterparts, who brought these three detainees to us. They handed them over to our custody, and we brought them back out through Lithuania.”* He added that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, received *”nothing in return.”*

Vinnik’s lawyers had previously lobbied for his inclusion in prisoner swaps. His attorney, Frédéric Bélot, expressed relief: *”It is a real relief for my client and his family.”* The Biden administration had previously considered using Vinnik as leverage to free Americans like Paul Whelan, but law enforcement officials had concerns about the implications. One U.S. official warned: *”Releasing cybercriminals is likely to further embolden those involved in ransomware and related transnational crimes.”* Vinnik’s cryptocurrency exchange *”processed over $9 billion-worth of transactions,”* the official added.

Trump has previously criticized prisoner swaps but remained vague about the details of this exchange. A White House statement referenced only an *”exchange,”* while the Kremlin confirmed that a Russian citizen would return home but declined to name them. U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, who was involved in the negotiations, said he was approached *”several days ago”* with an opportunity to secure Fogel’s release. He credited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for playing a *”helpful”* role.

Fogel arrived at the White House late Tuesday, draped in an American flag, and was greeted by Trump, who said it was *”an honor to have played a small role”* in securing his freedom. He will travel to San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday to participate in a U.S. government readjustment program for former detainees.

Paul Whelan, who spent more than five years imprisoned in Russia before being freed in a previous swap, reflected on Fogel’s reentry into American life: *”He’s waking up in the first world after spending three and a half years in the third world. Everything will be new to him. Everything familiar will feel surreal.”* Whelan also revealed that ex-detainees stay in touch to support one another: *”It’s an exclusive club, sort of like the club of presidents.”*