Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in detention, with US officials saying his freedom was secured following discussions between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump announced Gilman’s release on Tuesday, saying Putin had agreed to free the 32-year-old on humanitarian grounds.
Gilman returned to the United States aboard a State Department aircraft and was greeted at Dulles International Airport by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Witkoff said Gilman could now reunite with his family and receive the medical treatment he needs.
The former Marine was reportedly greeted with hamburgers and milkshakes after officials learned that he had requested a cheeseburger following his arrival.
Putin approved pardon for Gilman
US officials said Putin personally approved a pardon for Gilman and that Russia did not seek a prisoner exchange or other concessions in return for his release.
One US official described the decision as a goodwill gesture.
Gilman had been held at a prison in Voronezh, about 550 kilometres south of Moscow. His health had reportedly deteriorated significantly in recent months.
Eric Lebson, chief strategy officer of advocacy group Global Reach, said Gilman had been transferred in June from a prison hospital to the psychiatric ward of a civilian emergency hospital.
He was reportedly in a catatonic-like condition described as a “dissociative stupor.”
However, a US official who spoke with Gilman following his release said he was walking and talking and appeared to be in relatively good condition.
Four doctors were expected to evaluate him during his flight to the United States. After arriving at Dulles, Gilman was reportedly scheduled to travel to a rehabilitation centre in San Antonio, Texas, for further treatment.
Gilman arrested in 2022
Gilman, who served in the US Marines from August 2019 to August 2020, was arrested in Voronezh in January 2022 while travelling by train.
Russian state media reported that he had been detained for allegedly kicking a police officer while intoxicated.
His father later disputed the allegations, saying Gilman had become ill during the incident and accidentally kicked the officer.
A Russian court sentenced Gilman to four and a half years in prison.
His release followed negotiations between US and Russian officials over the weekend. US officials said senior Russian official Yuri Ushakov informed Trump’s aides that Putin had agreed to pardon Gilman on humanitarian grounds.
Trump thanked Witkoff, senior White House officials and others involved in securing the former Marine’s release.
US urges Russia to free other Americans
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Gilman was among roughly 100 American citizens whose freedom Trump has helped secure during his second term.
Rubio welcomed Gilman’s release but called on Moscow to free other Americans whom Washington considers unjustly detained, including retired US teacher Stephen Hubbard.
The release comes as Washington and Moscow remain at odds over Russia’s war in Ukraine, although Trump has continued efforts to maintain direct communication with Putin.
