The United States and Russia carried out a high-profile prisoner exchange in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, marking the second such swap in less than two months. Among those released was Ksenia Karelina, a U.S. resident who had been imprisoned in Russia on charges of treason.
Russia and the U.S. carried out a prisoner swap early Thursday in Abu Dhabi. Ksenia Karelina, an amateur ballerina and Los Angeles resident, had been in prison in Russia for over a year after being arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg in early 2024. She had previously spent over a decade in a Russian prison after making a donation of just over $50 to a New York-based charity offering humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Her contribution was deemed an act of treason, leading to a 12-year sentence behind bars.
She is now released and heading back to the U.S. as part of a prisoner exchange for Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian citizen. Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 and later extradited to the United States. He was accused of illegally exporting microelectronics to Russia for manufacturers linked to the Russian military, and faced charges including export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Karelina’s release on X, stating that U.S. President Trump secured her freedom after she was wrongfully held by Russia. He added that the president’s efforts to free all detained Americans are ongoing. Around 10 other U.S. citizens remain imprisoned in Russia.
According to officials, the prisoner swap took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the exchange, stating that Abu Dhabi was chosen due to the “close friendship between both countries and the United Arab Emirates.” The ministry expressed hope that the exchange would help ease tensions and promote dialogue for greater regional and global stability. This marks the second prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. in under two months.
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White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that early signs ahead of this weekend’s U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland appear positive, with both sides showing mutual respect and a constructive tone.
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U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support for steep tariffs on Chinese imports, calling 80% levies “right” ahead of high-level trade talks in Geneva aimed at easing escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed a series of trade and transit agreements during a high-level business forum in Karachi, paving the way for expanded commercial cooperation and long-term logistics development between the two countries.
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European foreign ministers signed the Lviv Statement supporting a special tribunal and a U.S.-backed ceasefire, during a visit to Ukraine that included a memorial tribute to fallen soldiers.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that early signs ahead of this weekend’s U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland appear positive, with both sides showing mutual respect and a constructive tone.
A new U.S.-supported initiative to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza is expected to start operating shortly, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Friday, though specific details are yet to be made public.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support for steep tariffs on Chinese imports, calling 80% levies “right” ahead of high-level trade talks in Geneva aimed at easing escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
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European foreign ministers signed the Lviv Statement supporting a special tribunal and a U.S.-backed ceasefire, during a visit to Ukraine that included a memorial tribute to fallen soldiers.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday that early signs ahead of this weekend’s U.S.-China trade talks in Switzerland appear positive, with both sides showing mutual respect and a constructive tone.
A new U.S.-supported initiative to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza is expected to start operating shortly, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Friday, though specific details are yet to be made public.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support for steep tariffs on Chinese imports, calling 80% levies “right” ahead of high-level trade talks in Geneva aimed at easing escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Kazakhstan and Pakistan signed a series of trade and transit agreements during a high-level business forum in Karachi, paving the way for expanded commercial cooperation and long-term logistics development between the two countries.
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