UFC CEO Dana White recounted in a May 2026 interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep how he leveraged his personal connection with former President Donald Trump to facilitate the release of Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American dual citizen, from a Russian penal colony. Karelina was sentenced to 12 years for a charitable donation valued at $51.80.
How Dana White Connected Trump and Putin for Karelina’s Release
During an NPR Newsmakers video podcast recording at Newark’s Prudential Center, ahead of a UFC event, the conversation shifted from immigration policy to White’s behind-the-scenes efforts. White explained that a fighter’s wife, who was Russian with American citizenship, had been arrested in Russia. The arrest occurred after she visited her family, and authorities found she had donated a small amount to Ukraine. White stated he contacted President Trump, who subsequently secured her release. When questioned about Trump’s method, White suggested, “He called Putin, I would assume.”
The Case of Ksenia Karelina
The individual in question was identified as Ksenia Karelina, a 34-year-old Russian-American residing in Los Angeles, where she managed a spa and trained as a ballerina. Her boyfriend, South African professional boxer Chris Van Heerden, had purchased her plane ticket to Russia as a birthday gift. Karelina traveled to Yekaterinburg in January 2024 to visit her grandmother and family, a trip she believed posed no risk, having been a U.S. citizen since 2021.
Upon her arrival, Russian customs officers searched her phone and discovered a Venmo transfer of $51.80 made in February 2022 to Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based nonprofit supporting Ukrainian civilians. Razom denied allegations of funding weapons or ammunition. Karelina was initially detained on a minor charge before being formally charged with high treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, a charge carrying a potential sentence of 12 years to life imprisonment.
Her trial commenced on June 20, 2024. On August 7, she admitted guilt, a decision her attorney believed might lead to a reduced sentence. On August 15, 2024, Judge Andrei Mineev, who also presided over Evan Gershkovich’s sentencing, imposed a 12-year sentence in a general regime penal colony. By the time of her release, Karelina had been held for 439 days.
Van Heerden had spent over a year advocating for Karelina’s release through various media appearances, but efforts under the previous U.S. administration were unsuccessful. The breakthrough occurred while White was in Sydney, Australia, for a UFC event. He recounted receiving a call from a friend who presented Karelina’s case and asked if White would approach Trump, as previous attempts had failed. White agreed, contacted Trump, who then initiated action and secured Karelina’s release within three weeks.
On April 10, 2025, Karelina was released as part of a prisoner exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.
During a Cabinet meeting on the same day, Trump publicly acknowledged White’s involvement, stating that Dana White had contacted him about the fighter’s friend, and that “we spoke to President Putin about it, and they made a deal.”
White, downplaying his role, mentioned that Karelina had FaceTimed him and expressed his gratitude towards both President Trump and Putin for her release, stating, “I didn’t do anything but make a call.”
