Ballerina Star Ksenia Karelina Thanks President Trump After Being Freed from 12-Year Russian Sentence and Landing on U.S. Soil

Ballerina Star Ksenia Karelina Thanks President Trump After Being Freed from 12-Year Russian Sentence and Landing on U.S. Soil

Washington, April 11, 2025: After more than a year of imprisonment in Russia, Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina has finally returned to the United States. Upon landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday night, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to President Donald Trump.

In a video message, Karelina said, “Mr. Trump, I’m so, so grateful to you for bringing me home. I’ve never felt prouder to be American. I’m so happy.” President Trump shared the video on Truth Social, writing, "Glad to have you back home."

Emotional Reunion with Fiancé

As soon as she stepped off the plane, Karelina had an emotional reunion with her fiancé, boxer Chris Van Heerden. A U.S. official stated that she will participate in the Post Isolation Support Activities (PISA) program—designed to help wrongfully detained Americans reintegrate into society.

How Was Karelina Freed?

Russia released Karelina in exchange for German-Russian citizen Arthur Petrov, who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the United States. Petrov faced charges of exporting sensitive microelectronics.

Reason for Imprisonment

In early 2024, Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony after donating just $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity. She was initially detained for “petty hooliganism” while visiting family in Russia. Russian authorities accused her of supporting Ukraine by participating in “public actions” while residing in the U.S.

Political Reaction

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “American Ksenia Karelina is on her way home. She was wrongfully detained in Russia for over a year, and President Trump secured her release.”

Previously Left Out of Prisoner Swap

Karelina had been left out of a major prisoner swap in August 2024, which secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. This time, however, she was freed through the efforts of the Trump administration.

Another Prisoner Freed Under Trump

This marks the latest case of an American detainee abroad being freed under President Trump’s administration. In February 2025, American teacher Marc Fogel—who had been held in Russia since 2021—was also brought home.