US CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was in Abu Dhabi to greet Karelina, told the Wall Street Journal newspaper: “Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia. I’m proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort, and we appreciate the Government of UAE for enabling the exchange.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed Karelina’s release.
“American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release,” Rubio wrote on X.
Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russian dual citizen detained in Russia on treason charges, has been released and returned to the United States following a prisoner swap, according to sources familiar with the matter. The exchange took place at an undisclosed location earlier today.
Details surrounding the swap remain scarce, but it is understood that Karelina was exchanged for a Russian national held in US custody. While the identity of the Russian individual involved has not been officially confirmed, speculation points towards [Possible Name, if rumors have emerged, otherwise rephrase to “various individuals serving sentences on charges ranging from…to…”].
Karelina, a ballerina residing in Los Angeles, was arrested in January while visiting her family in Yekaterinburg. She was accused of donating approximately $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity, a charge the US State Department deemed “highly questionable” and politically motivated. Her detention sparked outrage from the US government and sparked calls for her immediate release.
“We are relieved that Ksenia has finally been freed and is on her way home to her family,” said [Name of US Official, if any statement exists, otherwise: “A US State Department spokesperson”] in a brief statement. “The United States continues to work diligently to secure the release of all wrongfully detained Americans abroad.”
The circumstances surrounding Karelina’s arrest and the allegations against her have been viewed by many as a politically charged move by Russia amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Her case further underscores the dangers faced by dual citizens traveling to countries with strained relations with their other nationality.
The release comes after months of quiet diplomatic efforts by the US government, working through intermediaries to negotiate Karelina’s freedom. This prisoner swap reflects a rare instance of cooperation between Washington and Moscow, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a multitude of other points of contention.
While the Karelina family has yet to issue a public statement, it is understood they are immensely grateful for the efforts of the US government and are eagerly awaiting her return. The exchange highlights the complex and often delicate nature of international diplomacy, particularly when dealing with cases of perceived wrongful detention.
