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US Envoy Steve Witkoff Thanks Putin for Robert Gilman Release — AI-generated representative image of the Kremlin in Moscow, where US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Editorial Team

Witkoff relayed family gratitude during Kremlin talks as US negotiators pursue a Ukraine settlement

US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed deep gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the family of former US Marine Robert Gilman, who was released from prison in Russia last month. The 32-year-old US national was freed in mid-August after Trump interceded with his Russian counterpart, with his release reportedly granted on humanitarian grounds.

The exchange took place during high-level talks at the Kremlin on Saturday, underscoring the personal diplomacy between Washington and Moscow even as the two sides work toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Gilman's release highlights how direct engagement between the two leaders has produced tangible outcomes for individual citizens.

Kremlin Talks and Expressions of Thanks

Addressing Putin during Saturday's meeting, Witkoff stated that the "Gilman family is incredibly indebted to you and thanks you very very much for Bob Gilman being allowed to come home." Putin replied that the man's relatives should be thanking President Trump, to which Witkoff responded, "They have thanked President Trump, but they thank you also, sir."

Witkoff, alongside another US presidential envoy Jared Kushner, arrived in Moscow earlier on Saturday for talks aimed at settling the Ukraine conflict. During the meeting, Putin praised Washington's efforts to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, while Witkoff thanked the Russian president for halting strikes on Kiev ahead of the US negotiators' planned visit there.

Background of Gilman's Detention

Gilman was detained in early 2022 after drunkenly assaulting a police officer while traveling through Russia by train. He was initially sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for the assault, with the term later reduced to 3.5 years by a higher court.

However, Gilman reportedly grew increasingly violent while in a penal colony and was handed an additional seven years of incarceration in 2024 over repeated assaults on prison staff. According to media reports, he was transferred to a civilian psychiatric ward in July in a state of "dissociative stupor."

Details of the Release

Gilman was flown out of Russia on a State Department plane in August after reportedly being granted a presidential pardon over his deteriorating mental health. Commenting on the ex-Marine's release at the time, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that "Russia asked for no one in return."

Current Status and Next Steps

Gilman has returned home to the United States following his release. The Kremlin meeting marked the latest engagement between US and Russian officials as negotiations over the Ukraine conflict continue, with no additional details on further prisoner releases confirmed at this time.