Trump to meet with American ballerina freed from Russian prison
Context:
Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony for treason but was released in a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap brokered by the Trump administration. Karelina, who was accused of supporting Ukraine through a $50 donation, expressed her gratitude to President Trump and the American government upon her return to the U.S. Her release was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen accused of exporting sensitive electronics to Russia. Karelina's family expressed immense relief and gratitude towards Trump for her release, viewing it as a healing moment. A meeting between Karelina and Trump at the White House is planned, where she and her boyfriend Chris Van Heerden wish to personally thank the former president.
Dive Deeper:
Ksenia Karelina was arrested in 2024 while visiting her family in Russia for allegedly donating to a U.S. charity aiding Ukraine, leading to charges of treason despite initially being detained for 'petty hooliganism'.
Her release on April 10 was part of a prisoner swap deal orchestrated by the Trump administration, which saw the U.S. release Arthur Petrov, accused of exporting sensitive electronics to Russia.
Upon her return to the U.S., Karelina expressed deep gratitude to President Trump and the American government, emphasizing how blessed she felt to be American.
Karelina's family and her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, were overjoyed by her release, with her former stepmother describing the moment as 'healing' and praising Trump's efforts.
The couple is eager to meet Trump at the White House to personally thank him, as they had long hoped for his involvement in securing Karelina's release.
Karelina’s case follows another prisoner swap deal in February that secured the release of U.S. citizen and teacher Marc Fogel, who was held in Russian custody since 2021.
Chris Van Heerden criticized the previous administration, stating his belief that Karelina’s release was unlikely until Trump took office, which brought renewed hope and ultimately led to her freedom.