The Russian-American woman liberated by Moscow returned to the United States late Thursday as part of a prisoner swap completed by the two countries with the aim of repairing the ties.
The plane carrying Xenia Carrerina landed at Andrews' joint base around 11pm, where he was greeted by his fiancée.
President Donald Trump's deputy envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortags, presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
She was released earlier that day in exchange for a Russian German who was imprisoned in the US for smuggling charges.
Karelina was arrested in the city of Yekatelinburg, Ural Mountains in February 2024 and was convicted of treason on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 from a donation to a charity supporting Ukraine.
US authorities call the incident “absolutely skidic.”
“They released a young ballerina and she's out now. It was good, so we're grateful for that,” President Donald Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He said the release followed a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Arthur Petrov was released as part of a swap in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, or according to Russia's leading security and anti-intellectual agency, according to the Federal Security Services.
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the US on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics into Russia and being extradited to the US a year later.
Karelina was one of many Americans arrested in Russia in recent years as tensions between Moscow and Washington skyrocketed in the war in Ukraine.
Her release is the latest in a series of famous prisoner exchanges that Russia and the United States have carried out over the past three years, the second inmate since Trump took office and overturned Washington's policy of segregating Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe welcomed him as “a CIA officer who made tireless efforts to support this effort.” The CIA also emphasized that “this exchange demonstrates the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with Russia despite deep challenges in our bilateral relationship.”
Meanwhile, Russian and US diplomats met for second round consultations in Istanbul following their first meeting in February. The State Department said the delegation “exchanged notes to confirm understanding to ensure stability in diplomatic banks for bilateral duties between Russia and the US.”
The US said it had repeated concerns about Russia's ban on the employment of local staff.
Russia's Washington ambassador, Alexander Darkiev, led the Moscow delegation in consultations, praised their “positive atmosphere” and said he agreed to continue the discussion to promote diplomats' trips.
He added that Russia is also seeking a prompt return of diplomatic property seized by US authorities.
In February, Russia released American teacher Mark Vogel in a swap that the White House described as part of a diplomatic thaw that could drive peace talks forward.
That same month, Russia released another American a few days after he arrested him on drug smuggling charges.
Former ballet dancer Karelina also identified her as Xenia Cabana in some media outlets and lived in Maryland before moving to Los Angeles. She was arrested last year when she returned to Russia to visit her family.
The FSB accused her of “actively” raising money for the Ukrainian organization that supplies equipment to Kiev's army.
The first division, a Russian rights group, said the charges stem from a $51.80 donation to a US charity supporting Ukraine.
“I am delighted to hear that my love of life, Xenia Karelina, is on my way back from illegal detention in Russia,” Karelina's fiancé of professional boxer Chris van Haierden, said in a statement. “She has endured nightmares for 15 months, but I can't wait to hold her. Our dog, boots, are eagerly waiting for her home.”
He thanked Trump, his envoys, and the prominent public figures who defended her case. Dana WhiteFriend and CEO of Trump of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Trump also praised White, saying that the UFC boss had called him about the incident.
“President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure that Americans detained abroad return to their families,” White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said in X.
The exchange was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
WAM News Agency in the United Arab Emirates released a photo of Karelina on a plane and is one of hers standing next to UAE's US ambassador, Yousef Al Otaiba.
The FSB, who said Putin had forgiven Karelina before the swap, has released a video showing her being escorted by an airplane somewhere in Russia. The footage then featured what appeared to be a scene of exchange at Abu Dhabi Airport.
The video shows Petrov undergoing a medical check on a flight to Russia. “I don't have any particular complaints, but I'm a little tired,” he said.
Another video released by FSB later that day showed him walking away from the plane after arriving in Russia.
Petrov has been accused by the US Department of Justice to a scheme to procure microelectronics along with US export controls on behalf of a supplier of key components for the US arms industry. He faced a 20-year prison sentence in the United States.
Abu Dhabi was another famous prisoner exchange scene between Russia and the United States. In December 2022, American basketball star Britney Grinner was traded for the infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor match.
The United Arab Emirates was the mediator of prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, while the city of Dubai, studded with skyscrapers, has become home to many Russians and Ukrainians who fled there after the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
