Trump: Russia agreed to release jailed US Marine without swap
US President Donald Trump has said Russia agreed to release former US Marine Robert Gilman, who was jailed in Russia in 2022.
Trump said former US Marine Robert Gilman is returning to the United States. He said this was the result of his talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
"After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis. We appreciate this decision, and the fact that Russia asked for no one in return – No exchange took place." Trump wrote on Truth Social. [N.B. European Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president – ed.]
Trump said he spoke to Gilman, who had "one request – A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands".
"During my Administration, we have prioritised bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families. We have also freed many non-Americans who were under capture in different countries throughout the World," he added.
Reuters reported last week that Gilman is in a near-death condition in prison after torture and a lack of medical assistance.
Gilman, who had served in the US Marine Corps from August 2019 to August 2020, was travelling by train when he was arrested in the Russian city of Voronezh on 17 January 2022.
Russian media reported that he was detained after allegedly kicking a police officer while under the influence of alcohol. He was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison.
However, his father wrote in an article for the Boston Globe on 11 October 2024 that the charges were fabricated. He said his son had been feeling unwell at the time of the incident and had accidentally kicked the police officer.
In April 2025, Russia and the US held a prisoner exchange in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Before that, in February, Russia released US teacher Marc Fogel during a visit by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.