Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday will leave Russian airspace with an American who had been in that government's custody, with the White House hailing his release as a sign of improving relations with the Kremlin.

Focus was arrested in 2021 over marijuana possession in Russia.

"Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia," National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed in a statement. "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."

"Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States. By tonight, Marc Fogel will be on American soil and reunited with his family and loved ones thanks to President Trump’s leadership," he continued.

Witkoff is a relative newcomer to the political scene. A donor to the Trump campaign, he was present at Mara-a-Lago and golfing with the president during the second assassination attempt on his life.

He subsequently assumed the role of the president's special envoy and was instrumental in securing an initial ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.