Xenia Karelina Meets President Trump After Release from Detention

Xenia Karelina, a Russian national, recently met with President Donald Trump at the White House after being released from Russian detention for over a year. The president expressed his pleasure, noting, “That’s a great honor,” while acknowledging her presence.

Karelina’s release, which occurred last month, was part of a prisoner exchange agreement, according to reports.

Trump remarked that he can “walk away” from the ongoing situation regarding Ukraine, citing “risky hatred” on both sides of the conflict.

After her release on April 10, 2025, Karelina and her boyfriend, South African boxer Chris Van Heerden, appeared alongside Trump at Andrews Joint Base in Maryland. Trump emphasized his pride in having Karelina back, mentioning that he has helped secure the release of nearly 50 Americans detained abroad, highlighting the strength of the nation under his leadership.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to X (formerly Twitter) to underline the administration’s commitment to freeing all Americans held overseas. New details emerged when Rubio stated, “I am honored to be joining @potus at the @White House to welcome Xenia Karelina today. The Trump administration is committed to bringing home all Americans who are unfairly detained around the world.”

Karelina’s boyfriend, who is sometimes referred to as her fiancé, also attended the meeting. He shared his experience, describing it as “an unreal moment” shaking hands with both the 45th and 47th Presidents of the United States in the White House’s Oval Office, encouraging others to “never give up.”

In a related effort, Van Heerden recently promoted a GoFundMe campaign to help Karelina rebuild her life after captivity, which has seen over $12,000 in donations thus far. The couple’s journey has drawn significant attention, and Karelina’s story continues to resonate with many.