Trump Secures Marine Veteran’s Release from Russia

American Marine veteran Robert Gilman returned to the United States after being released from a Russian prison. Gilman’s release marked a significant shift in U.S. hostage diplomacy as it was achieved without a prisoner swap, a point emphasized by former hostage negotiator Dan O’Shea.

Photos and videos circulated Wednesday showed Gilman back on American soil following his release. He was arrested on January 17, 2022, in Voronezh, Russia, and had been sentenced to ten years in prison. Gilman was freed on humanitarian grounds after spending 1,666 days in custody. President Donald Trump confirmed Gilman would arrive at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and mentioned that Gilman requested, “A GREAT cheeseburger when he lands.”

Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to the president, shared a video of an aircraft arriving early Wednesday, celebrating Gilman’s return home. “As President Donald Trump promised, Steve Witkoff brought Robert Gilman cheeseburgers and milkshakes!” Gorka noted. Along with Gorka, US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff greeted Robert Gilman upon his return to the U.S.

Gorka expressed additional personal touches, stating, “I snuck him a cigar for when he’s fully recovered,” and highlighted that a member of the White House team brought Gilman a United States Marine Corps flag.

Steve Witkoff described welcoming Gilman as a “special night,” thanking POTUS for ensuring no American is left behind. Witkoff commended Trump’s leadership, noting that Marc Fogel and Ksenia Karelina also returned home under his direction.

In 2022, Gilman was initially convicted of assaulting a police officer with a sentence of three and a half years. His situation worsened as Russia extended his sentence in 2025 due to additional charges of assaulting prison staff. The U.S. State Department identified him as a wrongful detainee.

Robert Gilman became the third U.S. Marine to be detained in Russia over a decade, following Paul Whelan in 2018 and Trevor Reed in 2019. Both were later freed through prisoner swaps.

President Trump shared details of discussions with President Vladimir Putin, noting, “Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a Humanitarian Basis,” appreciating that no exchange occurred.

Upon his release, Gilman reunited with his mother, Nancy, on the plane and was expected to soon see his loved ones.