WASHINGTON: Russian-American Ksenia Karelina, once jailed for treason, has been released and is returning to the United States.
Her freedom follows a 12-year sentence issued by a Russian court for alleged actions against the state.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the update on X, confirming her release on Thursday.
“Ksenia Karelina is now flying home after being unjustly held in Russia for over a year,” Rubio posted.
He praised President Trump for securing her return through diplomatic efforts and direct negotiation.
Swap Details
Rubio emphasized the administration’s commitment to bringing home all wrongfully detained Americans worldwide.
Karelina’s release happened as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States.
In return, the US freed Russian-German national Arthur Petrov from custody on the same day.
Petrov had been held in a US prison but details of his charges have not been made public.
Two US officials familiar with the case confirmed the prisoner swap occurred in Abu Dhabi, Thursday.
High-Level Involvement
CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally managed and supervised the swap proceedings in the UAE capital.
Both individuals were handed over to their respective countries without delays, the officials confirmed.
Karelina is now en route to American soil, where she will reunite with her family.
The prisoner deal marks one of the latest examples of US-Russia cooperation despite strained ties.
The decision to carry out the exchange was reached through careful and discreet diplomatic channels.
Diplomatic Setting
The exchange coincided with ongoing talks between American and Russian diplomats in Istanbul, Turkey.
These are the second-round discussions between the two sides on diplomatic and consular operations.
According to the US State Department, the talks do not cover political or national security topics.
Ukraine is completely excluded from the agenda, as confirmed by a department spokesperson.
Tammy Bruce, speaking for the State Department, reiterated the narrow focus of these discussions.
Consular Focus
The Istanbul talks are centered on staffing, visas, and maintaining effective embassy operations.
Both governments have expressed interest in improving diplomatic engagement in recent months.
Despite larger geopolitical disputes, consular access and personnel issues remain key concerns.
These meetings are seen as attempts to stabilize basic bilateral functions amidst larger tensions.
Observers believe outcomes from Istanbul may influence future diplomatic openings between the countries.
Presidential Role
Trump’s role in securing Karelina’s release was heavily emphasized by US leadership.
Rubio said the president would remain focused on cases involving detained American citizens.
He stated this administration has made prisoner negotiations a top foreign policy priority.
Karelina’s case drew significant attention from US lawmakers and human rights advocates.
Many claimed her imprisonment was politically motivated and called for immediate diplomatic action.
Background Story
Karelina, a dual US-Russian citizen, was arrested in Russia over a year ago.
She faced accusations of treason, a charge often used in high-profile political cases.
The Russian government has released few details about the specific allegations against her.
Her trial and sentence had been criticized by international organizations and American officials.
Supporters maintained she was innocent and detained without clear legal justification.
Symbolic Release
Her freedom is being viewed as a symbolic gesture during a tense global moment.
Analysts say the exchange signals that both countries are willing to talk despite conflicts.
Though Ukraine and security issues are off the table, backchannel diplomacy remains alive.
Such prisoner swaps often precede broader efforts to reopen deeper political dialogue.
Still, US officials stress this swap should not be mistaken for a change in wider policy.
