UFC President Dana White recently broke his silence on the release of U.S. ballerina Ksenia Karelina from a Russian prison. Karelina faced serious charges of treason after allegedly donating money to a charity that funded military equipment for Ukraine. Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, Karelina's situation shifted dramatically with assistance from White and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement, White revealed the timeline of events leading to Karelina's release, which took place after he received a call during a fight event in Sydney, Australia. A friend approached White with Karelina's story and requested his help in contacting Trump. According to White, efforts to negotiate her release with the previous administration failed, but after contacting Trump, progress accelerated. "Literally in three weeks, he had her out," White stated, emphasizing the effectiveness of the collaboration.
White also shared a heartfelt moment from his conversation with Karelina. "She facetimed me two days ago. What an incredible, sweet, positive human being she is," he said, expressing admiration for Karelina's resilience. He acknowledged both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their roles in facilitating her release, claiming, "I didn't do anything but make a call." Reports indicate that an agreement was made for a prison swap, allowing Karelina to return to the U.S. while an accused smuggler was sent back to Russia.
This incident highlights the intersections of combat sports, politics, and international relations, demonstrating how influential figures like Dana White can impact significant humanitarian efforts. The collaboration between Trump and Putin for Karelina's release underscores the broader implications of diplomacy and negotiation in today's world.
