Russia Frees Former US Marine Robert Gilman; Trump Announces Return
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
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Named sources
Outcome reported
- Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman has been freed by Russia after four years of imprisonment and is expected to return to the United States.
- President Trump announced the release, stating Russia agreed to free Gilman on a humanitarian basis after his discussions with President Putin, with no exchange made.
- Gilman is scheduled to land at Andrews Air Force Base, where representatives and his mother will greet him.
Former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman is returning home after four years of detention in Russia, according to an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. Gilman, 32, was imprisoned in 2022 during the Biden administration and is expected to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night.
I am proud to announce that American Citizen Robert Gilman, a former United States Marine, is coming HOME!
Trump stated on Truth Social that Russia agreed to release Gilman on a "very much on a humanitarian basis" following his discussions with President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that no exchange took place for Gilman's release, and Russia asked for no one in return. Representatives, some of whom are accompanying Gilman on the flight, are set to welcome him back to the United States.
Gilman reportedly had one request upon landing: a "GREAT cheeseburger." Trump assured him, "I will take care of that!" The former president highlighted his administration's efforts to bring Americans home, claiming his administration "prioritized bringing home Americans Detained Abroad, and have done so at a level never seen before, returning hundreds of people to their families."
After my discussions with President Vladimir Putin, Russia has agreed to release him, very much on a humanitarian basis.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed Gilman's release, thanking Russia for its cooperation. Rubio noted that Gilman joins "over 100 Americans whom President Trump has freed during his second term in office." He also stated that the U.S. is still seeking the return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including Stephen Hubbard.
No exchange took place.
According to Al Jazeera, Gilman, who served in the U.S. Marines from August 2019 to August 2020, was arrested in January 2022 in Voronezh, Russia, while traveling by train. He has been reunited with his mother, Nancy, who is also on the plane with him.
Today, after more than four years of detention in Russia, Robert Gilman is on his way home to be reunited with his family.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Times of Oman in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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