Chris Van Heerdan was ready for girlfriend Ksenia Karelina to return from her journey to Russia to suggest.
As an alternative, the South African boxer has spent the final 13 months combating for the twin Russian-American citizen’s freedom and protected return to america.
“I used to be going to pop the query,” an emotional Van Heerdan, 37, advised The Put up. “However my plans have been derailed.”
Karelina, 33, an newbie ballerina and esthetician is losing away in a Russian jail, serving a 12 yr sentence for treason over a $51 donation to a US based mostly charity benefitting Ukraine.
The pair haven’t spoken since January 27, 2024. They’d rung in 2024 with a romantic journey to Isntanbul after which she visited household in Yekaterinburg, Russia for a month whereas Van Heerdan returned to their dwelling of Los Angeles
“The factor is, she didn’t do that in Russia as a Russian citizen. She did this in America, as an American citizen,” he mentioned of the small donation made in 2022.
Van Heerden and his good good friend, “Lone Survivor” director Peter Berg spoke with The Put up about this protracted nightmare and their renewed hope, sparked by the brand new Trump administration.
“I’m very optimistic and optimistic concerning the new administration beneath President Trump, and I consider he can get it performed quickly,” mentioned Van Heerden.
“My message is straightforward: Ksenia is proud to be an American citizen and loves America very a lot. I encourage President Trump to carry Ksenia dwelling; she shouldn’t be doing nicely, and every day in jail is a day longer in recovering from this nightmare. Please carry Ksenia dwelling.”
He additionally advised how Karelina is surviving in jail by giving facial massages to the opposite inmates, which has helped enhance her relationships with different inmates.
“That is who Ksenia is. She will be able to stroll into any room and anybody will love her as a result of she’s only a vivid uplifting, optimistic individual. She is making an attempt her absolute best to hold on.”
“She is aware of I’m combating and he or she has mentioned, ‘that’s the one factor that retains me optimistic is the truth that I do know you might be combating for me’.”
There have additionally been optimistic developments with the launch of American college trainer, Marc Fogel, earlier this month and Russian media recognizing Karelina as a US citizen.
“Russia launched an announcement on state broadcast TV and acknowledged, ‘We’re in communication with America. They’re looking for the discharge of Ksenia and are we’re very a lot fascinated by making that occur’. That’s huge,” mentioned Van Heerdan.
Final week marked a dramatic diplomatic shift with Trump saying he plans to normalize relations between the US and Russia and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assembly Russian officers in Saudi Arabia, working to finish the bloody conflict in Ukraine.
“Proper after that assembly, [the Russians] made the assertion,” mentioned Van Heerdan.
Along with the talks, Fogel, who had been sentenced to 14 years in a Russian jail for possessing an oz. of medical marijuana, was freed by the Kremlin in a prisoner swap. He was held for 3 and a half years.
“To see Marc Fogel coming again offers me loads of hope to know this can be a good begin. That bringing prisoners again is feasible.”
However Fogel’s homecoming – captured with a poignant picture of him kissing the bottom as he walked off the aircraft – additionally stirred blended feelings for the boxer.
“I’m not going to lie. I assumed Ksenia was coming again,” mentioned Van Heerdan who mentioned he’s the middleman between his girlfriend’s lawyer in Russia and the State Division.
He mentioned the Biden administration, which he additionally praised, advised him “if anybody was coming again, it’s Ksenia as a result of she shouldn’t be responsible of the crime.”
He’s making an attempt to not dwell on his disappointment and as a substitute be robust for Karelina with whom, he communicates via letters. He’s nervous for her psychological and bodily well being as she not too long ago fainted and was taken to the hospital.
In the meantime, Van Heerdan had tried to persuade Karelina to not journey to Russia due to the conflict with Ukraine and feels lingering guilt he reluctantly purchased her the aircraft ticket. Karelina hadn’t been dwelling since 2021 and was desirous to see her child sister and aged grandparents.
When she arrived, he mentioned she was flagged and detained for 16 hours. Authorities stored her cellphone and passport for 3 weeks. When she was advised every thing was positive, she went to gather her belongings however was arrested for ‘hooliganism’.
They upgraded the fees to treason after discovering the financial institution transaction for the donation to the charity Razom, which says it’s “contributing to a safe, affluent and democratic Ukraine.”
In August, she was sentenced to 12 years.
Within the meantime, her family members are strolling a precarious line. They wish to guarantee her story is on the market, however they need to watch out to maintain their feelings in verify and never say something that might harm her shot at freedom.
“It’s a chess sport. It’s a political chess sport,” mentioned Van Heerdan including that he doesn’t publicly share a lot of what she writes to him.
Berg mentioned he needs to verify folks don’t lose their humanity, saying: “Whereas this perverse sport is being performed out [its important] that individuals bear in mind her. That this younger woman is in a extremely tough spot. She is struggling and we actually wish to get her dwelling.”
He mentioned they’re “appreciative” of Rubio, JD Vance and President Trump’s efforts.
And Van Heerdan feels there’s been a major shift.
“For the primary time in 13 months, I’m really feeling that we’re very near getting her dwelling.”
