WASHINGTON — President Trump met Monday with Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina, formally welcoming her back to the US after 15 months in Russian captivity.
“Congratulations,” said Trump, 78, while shaking Karelina’s hand in an Oval Office meeting that was closed to White House reporters, but recorded by communications adviser Margo Martin, who posted a 14-second clip to X.
“Now I know why you fought so hard to get her out of jail,” the president added to someone out of frame.
“Thank you so much,” Karelina told Trump, placing her hand on her heart, to which he responded: “It’s a great honor.”
“It’s my honor to meet you today,” the 33-year-old answered.
Karelina landed back on American soil last month after the Trump administration secured her freedom in an April 10 prisoner swap.
The dancer was facing 12 years in a penal colony after she was accused of treason by the Kremlin for donating $51 to a charity that supported Ukraine.
Karelina was detained in January 2024 while visiting her family in the city of Yekaterinburg. Karelina is a dual US-Russian citizen and had donated to the Ukrainian foundation two days before Moscow formally invaded its western neighbor.
The Los Angeles resident was charged with transferring “funds in the interests of a Ukrainian organization, which were subsequently used for the purchase of tactical medicine items, equipment, means of defeat and ammunition by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Upon Karelina’s return, she was met by her fiancé, professional boxer Chris van Heerden, and Morgan Ortagus, Trump’s deputy peace envoy to the Middle East.
“I am overjoyed to hear that the love of my life, Ksenia Karelina is on her way home from wrongful detention in Russia,” van Heerden said at the time.
“She has endured a nightmare for 15 months, and I cannot wait to hold her. Our dog, Boots, is also eagerly awaiting her return.”
At the time, Trump credited UFC boss Dana White with bringing Karelina’s case to his attention.
“They released the young ballerina and she is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that,” the president said the day of her release.
Karelina was the second US citizen freed from Russian captivity under the Trump administration. In February, Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel was released after being sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison following his arrest with what he claimed was legally prescribed marijuana
The ballerina was exchanged for Russian-German dual citizen Arthur Petrov, who was arrested in 2023 on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to the US adversary.
