WASHINGTON, February 21. /TASS/. US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, who earlier visited Moscow in order to bring back a US national released from a Russian prison, said that he had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on that day, had long conversations with him and tried to foster friendly ties.

"It was a great trip. I spent a lot of time with President Putin, talking and developing a friendship, a relationship with him. And that led to Marc [Fogel] getting on the plane," he said at an investment forum organized by Saudi Arabia in Miami, Florida.

"First, I had the support of President Trump which is a really big deal. Secondly, we have a really good relationship with the Saudis," he stressed. "They assured us that this was real," the envoy explained, adding that to him "it became worth the trip."

On February 11, US national Marc Fogel, who had been convicted in Russia on drug smuggling charges, was released. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that it was a goodwill gesture on the part of Moscow, indicating progress in settling the Ukraine crisis. Fogel left Moscow together with Witkoff. US President Donald Trump said that the US highly appreciated the release of its citizen by the Russian authorities.

On February 13, Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik returned to Russia from the US, following his release from an American prison. He expressed his gratitude to Putin and all those working toward his return. The Kremlin said that the prisoner swap represented a step toward enhancing mutual trust between Moscow and Washington.