In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange on April 10, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The United States secured the release of Ksenia Karelina, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen and former ballet dancer, who had been detained in Russia since February 2024. Karelina was arrested while visiting family in Yekaterinburg and later sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason, after allegedly donating $51.80 to a U.S.-based charity supporting Ukraine.

In exchange, the United States released Arthur Petrov, a dual German-Russian national accused of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia's military.

The swap was facilitated by intelligence agencies from both countries, with the CIA and Russia's FSB playing central roles. The United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator, providing a neutral location for the exchange. ​

Upon her return to the United States, Karelina was greeted at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland by her boyfriend, professional boxer Chris van Heerden. ​

This exchange marks the second significant prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia under President Trump's administration, signaling ongoing diplomatic engagements between Washington and Moscow amid strained bilateral relations. ​