The Trump administration has secured the release of an American citizen and two other detainees from Belarus, according to White House officials. The rescue effort, described as a “daring operation” by U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler, involved navigating dangerous borders and operating under extreme secrecy.
The American citizen, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was released alongside Alena Maushuk, a Belarusian national detained in 2020, and a journalist believed to be Andrey Kuznechyk, who was arrested in 2021 while cycling near his home in Minsk. Their return to freedom comes just two weeks after the U.S. secured the release of another American, Anastasia Nuhfer, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to bringing detained citizens home.
Kara McDonald, the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, confirmed their safe arrival during an interview, celebrating the moment as a victory for American diplomacy. “It is a big day for team America, for the president, for the secretary of state,” McDonald stated, highlighting the administration’s efforts to ensure the safety of American citizens abroad.
Chris Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern European affairs, personally traveled to Belarus to retrieve the individuals, underscoring the hands-on approach the administration has taken in high-stakes negotiations. “We have one American citizen, which is a huge win and a response to President Trump’s peace through strength agenda,” Smith stated. “The Belarusians are responding to this and we are going to keep working until we get all Americans out.”
The release comes on the heels of another major diplomatic breakthrough—securing the freedom of Marc Fogel, a 63-year-old American teacher who had been held in a Russian penal colony for more than three years. Fogel, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021 for carrying medical marijuana prescribed for chronic pain, was welcomed back to the United States by President Trump.
“I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now,” Fogel said upon his return. He credited Trump, his diplomatic team, and U.S. lawmakers for his release. “I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all and President Trump is a hero. These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes. The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor to get me home are heroes. I am in awe of what they all did.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, played a key role in negotiating Fogel’s release and personally flew him out of Russia on his private jet. Overcome with emotion, Fogel expressed his gratitude for the efforts that led to his return. “I love our country,” he said, choking back tears. “I am so happy to be back here.”
In a broader move toward international diplomacy, Trump announced the launch of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Following a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said that his administration would immediately begin discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The administration has tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Steve Witkoff with leading the negotiations. The involvement of Belarus, a close ally of Moscow, further highlights the shifting geopolitical landscape and Trump’s direct approach to foreign relations.
