President Donald Trump has successfully negotiated the release of an American citizen imprisoned in Belarus, along with two other individuals, including a journalist from Radio Liberty, according to an announcement by U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler on Wednesday.

Radio Free Europe identified the journalist as Andrey Kuznechyk, stating: “Andrey Kuznechyk, a journalist with RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, has been released from a Belarusian prison after being held for more than three years on charges he, his employer, US officials and human rights organizations called politically motivated.”

Finally free after *more than three years* in a Belarusian prison ⚡️⚡️⚡️

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Andrey Kuznechyk, released following negotiations by the Trump administration pic.twitter.com/iHomfw9dOX

— Will Vernon (@BBCWillVernon) February 12, 2025

The news comes just one day after the release of Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development, saying, “We can confirm the release of one American and two individuals from Belarus, one of whom worked for Radio Liberty. Out of respect for the privacy of these individuals, at their request, we have no further details to announce on their identity, but we can confirm that one American was released today and it’s a remarkable victory on the heels of Marc Fogel returning to America last night.” She declined to comment on whether any exchanges were made to secure their release.

After more than three years in a Belarusian prison, RFE/RL journalist Andrey Kuznechyk is finally free. The RFE/RL President comments on the emotional reunion, the behind-the-scenes efforts that secured Kuznechyk’s release, and the ongoing fight to free other jailed journalists. pic.twitter.com/ZqYo28gVQW

— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) February 12, 2025

Radio Free Europe President & CEO Stephen Capus celebrated Kuznechyk’s freedom, calling it “a joyous day for Andrey, his wife, Alesya, and their two young children.” He credited President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Lithuanian government for their roles in securing Kuznechyk’s return.

The White House announced that Belarus, a former Soviet state, has freed four prisoners — one of them being journalist Andrey Kuznechyk.

"It's a real indication that the type of reporting we do … is deemed a threat," Radio Free Europe president Stephen Capus tells… pic.twitter.com/N186uNa91Z

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) February 13, 2025