Woman jailed over $51 donation to Ukraine freed in US-Russia prisoner swap

Russian TASS news agency reported that President Vladimir Putin pardoned Ms. Karelina.

The prisoner swap occurred in Abu Dhabi early Thursday morning.

During a cabinet meeting, Trump mentioned Ms. Karelina's release. He said it was requested by UFC CEO Dana White.

"Dana White called me about a friend of one of the fighters," Trump explained. "We spoke to President Putin, and they made a deal."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Ms. Karelina was on her way home to the United States. He noted she had been wrongfully detained in Russia for over a year.

"President Trump secured her release," Rubio stated. "He will continue to work for the release of all Americans."

CIA Director John Ratcliffe attended the exchange, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Ms. Karelina's parents expressed gratitude to both Trump and Putin. Her father, Pavel, said, "I guess that deal must have involved them both."

"We are beside ourselves with happiness," he added. "Our first chat was pure emotion; I can't remember what we said."

This is the second prisoner swap between Russia and the US in less than two months.

In February, Russian national Alexander Vinnik was freed in exchange for American schoolteacher Marc Fogel.

The exchange occurs as Moscow and Washington seek to improve relations.

US and Russian officials met in Istanbul on Thursday for talks aimed at restoring embassy operations scaled back after the Ukraine invasion.