Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained in Russia, has been released in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

American schoolteacher and former diplomat Marc Fogel has been released from prison in Russia and is on the way home to the US, according to US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Waltz said Mr Fogel's release had been negotiated as part of an exchange with Russia, without providing further details.

The White House announced Tuesday that it has negotiated the release of Marc Fogel​, an American teacher who was imprisoned in Russia.