Who is Ksenia Karelina? American ballerina jailed in Russia over $52 donation, freed in Trump-led swap

American ballerinaKsenia Karelina, who was held in a Russian jail for over a yr on treason expenses, met President Donald Trump following her return to the United States. Her case drew widespread condemnation from human rights teams and US officers, who labelled the fees “absolutely ludicrous.”
Karelina, a 32-year-old twin US-Russian citizen, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February 2024 after reportedly donating simply over $50 to a US-based charity that supported Ukraine. The Russian authorities accused her of aiding a international nation in opposition to Russia’s pursuits—a cost that led to her conviction for treason.

Her launch got here as a part of a rigorously brokered change involving Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German man who had been detained in the US for making an attempt to smuggle restricted microelectronics to Russia. The swap came about in Abu Dhabi and included uncommon direct coordination between Russian and American intelligence and diplomatic companies.
President Trump confirmed her launch and mentioned, “They released the young ballerina and she is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that.” He later met with Karelina, an encounter that symbolised the second profitable prisoner swap since Trump returned to workplace and resumed diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
Her fiancé, skilled boxer Chris van Heerden, expressed reduction, saying she had “endured a nightmare for 15 months.” He thanked Trump, the CIA, and figures like UFC president Dana White, who reportedly raised the case with the president straight. CIA Director John Ratcliffe credited US intelligence officers for his or her behind-the-scenes efforts, highlighting the significance of communication channels between Washington and Moscow.

Who is Ksenia Karelina?