Ksenia Karelina Freed in US-Russia Prisoner Exchange in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Russia conducted a prisoner swap early Thursday, resulting in the release of Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual citizen. Karelina, who had been sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony for donating approximately $50 to a charity supporting Ukraine, was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen arrested by U.S. authorities.

The swap occurred at Abu Dhabi International Airport and was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. This event symbolizes ongoing confidence-building efforts by both nations in a bid to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. CIA Director John Ratcliffe welcomed Karelina, praising the dedication of the CIA officers involved in the negotiations along with the support from the UAE government.

“Today, President Trump brought home another wrongfully detained American from Russia,” Ratcliffe stated in a release. “I’m proud of the CIA officers who worked tirelessly to support this effort.”

Karelina was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) accused her of treason after discovering the donation on her phone, asserting it was intended to benefit the Ukrainian military. During her trial, which was conducted behind closed doors, Karelina pleaded guilty in hopes of receiving a lesser sentence.

In exchange for Karelina’s freedom, the U.S. released Petrov, who was detained in Cyprus in 2023 for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics to Russia. While Petrov had not yet been sentenced for these allegations, prosecutors claimed he used a Cypriot company to acquire technology under false pretenses for the Russian military.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to securing the release of Americans detained abroad. “Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina,” he said in a statement. “President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families.”

The swap marks another instance of diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with Karelina’s release being the second major exchange since Trump took office. In February of this year, U.S. authorities released convicted cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik in exchange for Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher imprisoned in Russia on drug charges.

Despite the positive developments, at least ten other Americans remain imprisoned in Russia on various charges. Some, like Stephen Hubbard, have been wrongfully detained while others face serious allegations. Hubbard, a 73-year-old from Michigan, was arrested while living in Ukraine and accused of working as a mercenary. His family adamantly refutes these claims.

While the U.S. continues to advocate for the release of its citizens, a CIA spokesperson emphasized the necessity of maintaining communication with Russia despite existing tensions in their bilateral relationship. “This exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia,” the spokesperson stated, adding, “We see this exchange as a positive step and will continue to work for their release.”