Trump welcomes double US-Russia citizens who secured freedom in exchange last month.
The Russian-American ballerina was released from Russian prisons last month as part of a prisoner exchange, and is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday to meet President Donald Trump.
The visit by the 33-year-old double citizen highlights the delicate balance of negotiations with Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Karelina, a Los Angeles resident and born in Russia and became a US citizen in 2021, was arrested in February 2024 while visiting her Yekaterinburg family.
Razom, a Ukrainian charity, a New York-based nonprofit, rejected military efforts and said the group focused on humanitarian assistance.
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“It is not a crime to peacefully demonstrate solidarity with the people of Ukrainians.”
Russia’s Federal Security Agency claimed that the donations supported the Ukrainian army.
Karelina pleaded guilty in August 2024 and was sentenced to 12 years in the largest security prison.
Her release on April 10th culminated in an exchange at Abu Dhabi airport, overseen by John Ratcliffe, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, after intense negotiations with the US and Russian intelligence agency.
“President Trump will continue to work to release all Americans who are illegally detained.”
To ensure the deal, the US released Arthur Petrov, a double Russian German citizen, who was accused of smuggling military-grade electronics in violation of sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a pardon for Karelina. Karelina is seen as a nod to improve relations with the Trump administration, which has shown openness to dialogue with Moscow to end the Ukrainian conflict.
The exchange reflects a wider pattern of US and Russian prisoner swaps, including the February release of American teacher Mark Vogel for Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik.
Vogel also visited Trump at the Executive Mansion.
Karelina’s visit to the White House symbolizes Trump’s “peace through strength” policy, and comes when his administration is calling for a peace deal in Ukraine.
