Trump Meeting With Freed Hostage

In a powerful and emotional Oval Office meeting, President Donald J. Trump welcomed American ballerina Ksenia Karelina—recently freed from a brutal Russian prison—as a symbol of courage and American resilience.

Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was shockingly arrested by Vladimir Putin’s regime in February 2024 after returning to Russia to visit family. Her “crime”? Donating just over $50 to a U.S.-based charity supporting Ukraine. The Russian government charged her with treason, and a Kremlin court sentenced her to 12 years in a penal colony.

President Trump met with her privately at the White House, underscoring his commitment to protecting Americans abroad and standing firm against authoritarian regimes.

“Congratulations. That’s very nice. That’s a great honor,” Trump said, as seen in official White House footage. He asked about her harrowing time behind bars, praising her strength in the face of tyranny.

Karelina’s release came through a prisoner swap involving Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German national. Her detention had earlier been declared “wrongful” by the U.S. State Department, highlighting yet another example of Putin’s use of political prisoners as leverage against the West.

This emotional reunion reminds Americans of what’s at stake on the world stage—and the importance of leadership that puts our citizens first.

President Trump’s actions once again show that when Americans are persecuted abroad, he doesn’t look the other way—he brings them home.