‘Spoke To President Putin’: American Ballerina Detained In Russia Over ‘Absolutely Ludicrous’ Charge Returns Home

Russian-American ballerina Ksenia Karelina returned to the U.S. late Thursday in a prisoner exchange following a March discussion between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Karelina arrived at Joint Base Andrews after she’d been released in exchange for Artur Petrov, a German-American who allegedly smuggled sensitive microelectronics to Russia in August 2023, The Associated Press (AP) reported, citing Russia’s Federal Security Service. Karelina was arrested and convicted of treason in February 2024 on allegations of making an approximately $52 donation to a charity that provided aid to Ukraine. Trump revealed that Karelina’s release followed a discussion with Putin in a Thursday cabinet meeting.

“We spoke to President Putin about it and they made a deal and they released the young ballerina and she is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that,” Trump said, crediting UFC CEO Dana White for being involved in the process. U.S. authorities had labeled the case as “absolutely ludicrous,” according to the AP.

Trump and Putin discussed improving relations between the U.S. and Russia during a March 18 phone call, according to a U.S. State Department press release.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Karelina’s release in an April 10 post shared on his verified X account.

“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. @POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans,” Rubio wrote.

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. @POTUS will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans.

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 10, 2025

Karelina became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and moved to Los Angeles, according to Politico. Her lawyer made an appeal to have her placed on house arrest instead of detention in Russia, but a Russian court refused the request, Russian state media reported in February 2024. (RELATED: ‘I Am So Indebted’: Freed Russian Prisoner Visibly Fights Back Tears As He Celebrates Release At White House)

In a video shared to X by Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Karelina said she was “so grateful” Trump helped secure her release. Trump posted the video on his TRUTH Social account, writing, “Glad to have you back home.”

Trump’s administration previously secured the release of Marc Fogel, a teacher who was held in a Russian prison on drug charges.

The Daily Caller has contacted the White House for comment.