South African boxer Chris van Heerden is celebrating the return of his Russian-American girlfriend, Ksenia Karelina, who was free of a Russian jail due to the help of US President Donald Trump.
The skilled ballerina was convicted of treason over her feedback concerning the battle in Ukraine.
Chris, a former IBO welterweight champion, now lives within the US along with his companion. Ksenia has since launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to boost funds to “rebuild” her life after jail.
TRUMP HELPS SET CHRIS VAN HEERDEN’S GIRLFRIEND FREE
Final week, Ksenia Karelina was launched again to the US in a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington, facilitated by President Trump.
The deal was brokered after Chris Heerden’s good friend contacted UFC CEO Dana White, who’s near Trump.
The US President stated throughout a media convention final week that aiding Ksenia’s plight to return to the US was “on the request of an excellent good friend of mine, Dana White”.
He added: “And we spoke to President [Vladimir] Putin about it, they usually made a deal they usually launched the younger ballerina. And he or she is now out, and that was good. And we hope that we’re going to have the ability to make a deal comparatively quickly with Russia and Ukraine to cease the combating.”
EMOTIONAL REUNION
Final week, Chris van Heerden and Ksenia Karelina reunited after she spent 15 months in a Russian jail.
The Trump facilitated prisoner alternate befell in Abu Dhabi between the US and Russian authorities.
He instructed the Each day Maverick: “She [Ksenia] acquired on a non-public jet and flew to Washington, DC. That’s the place I waited for her on the tarmac. She arrived in DC. It was unreal, unreal. I used to be very, very nervous. However when she got here down from that aircraft and hugged me, it felt actual. The nerves had been gone.
The couple shared an emotional reunion as seen in photos posted on social media.
“Love wins”, Chris posted from his X account.
Within the publish, Chris thanked President Trump, who shares the identical views of “white genocide in South Africa” because the boxer – for his assist.
He posted: “Single-handedly my biggest accomplishment in my life…FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!! Jesus answered prayer. Thanks, Mr President. 15 months of never-die, never-give-up perspective”
WHAT DID KSENIA KAROLINA DO?
In early 2024, Ksenia Karelina – who has twin Russian and US citizenship – was arrested in Russia on a visit to go to her household. The skilled ballerina was flagged by Russian authorities after she donated $51.80 to a charity supporting humanitarian endevours in Ukraine.
Throughout her trial, she was accused of “organizing fundraisers for Ukraine’s army, attending pro-Ukraine rallies and posting social media messages towards Russia’s battle in Ukraine”.
She was discovered responsible of treason and was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.
In line with her boyfriend, Chris van Heerden, he approached the Joe Biden administration for assist in releasing Ksenia, however to no avail.
He instructed the media, “I had religion, and I really believed that when President Trump got here into energy, he might do it. And he did it.”
Each Chris and Ksenia are hoping to personally meet and thank Trump for his assist.
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