Interview with boyfriend of American ballerina sentenced in Russia on treason charges

Ksenia Karelina, a U.S. citizen and amateur ballerina, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian prison after pleading guilty to treason. Arrested earlier this year while visiting family in Russia, she was charged for a donation to a U.S.-based charity supporting Ukraine. Her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, spoke on "CBS Mornings."

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings" co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

[Kriliska]

I'm also a dual citizen and won't be stepping a single toe in Russia until this regime falls.

[reecom]

She made the fatal mistake of not renouncing her Russian citizenship once she became a naturalized American citizen. She might have wanted to have both a Russian and American passport when she travelled overseas. As far as the Russians are concern, she’s a Russian citizen under their laws, the American Embassy can only issue a protest.

[MiguelGomez-ok]

U.S. State Department stated Do Not Travel. Airlines need to stop selling flights to Russia.

[Nancy-trfi]

This woman is very stupid. He says she does not listen to NEWS. Well that is her mistake. If anyone has left Russia then stay away. People should be informed, the consequence is critical.

[LWr]

12 years for donating 50 dollars to charity? And people actually say Russia’s a democracy 💀

[bertrpk]

HUH ?? WHAT??? Hold on. The boyfriend, didn't want his girlfriend to go to Russia bc it's not safe. So he surprises her with a plane ticket to go to Russia but he didn't go with her bc he felt it was too unsafe.??? What an

[devongratrix]

Of you're an American, stay out of enemy countries... There was a reason she left in the first place right?

[OdellThompson-lcvc]

I pray and hope that the United States be able to do something for her

[Sassywonderlady]

So you sent her to prison, by buying the ticket.

[AI.Absurdity]

For her next trip, she plans on visiting Gaza to see the sites and take in the local culture.

[carmenneumann]

Traveling. To. Russia. During. . War. how Do they not read news about war in her home country before travel?

[savannahm.laurentian]

The number of Americans that have travelled to Russia since Russian invasion of Ukraine is staggering. The number of them trying to play victim & tying up precious resources is somehow worse. Sad but utterly avoidable.

[jasonsandifer]

She a American citizen being held because of a 2022 donation to a Humanitarian charity, as a American citizen.
The donation was completed on American soil, as a American citizen, and she is being held on a 2023 law placed in effect.
She is being Wrongly held.
This Woman donated to a Charity, and was jailed for being a Caring person.

She was simply showing her Humanity, Simply Caring for other Human beings, in America as a American citizen.

[deeshaminzies]

This is a crazy situation! I mean, she made a donation in 2022! And they detain her now. I tell ppl all the time: “be careful what countries you visit and know their laws. Because once you’re there; you’re subject to them. Here in the US we take things for granted that other countries DO NOT afford to their citizens! It’s devastating really. I pray she gets out and is able to come back to the US because, frankly, Russia is hostile right now. 😢🙏🏽

[WLLAmette]

We need to keep her story in the news, get many people to protest this

[rapturedongoyaro]

Why would anyone in their right thinking mind even be thinking about going to Russia after February 2022? Why???

I hope they get her back for you and your family.

[GentlemanLife-Beyotch]

That's why you do it in physical currency and in person. Especially if you come from Russia or Ukraine. Far less a trail for your officials to track.

[ChannelJtotheD]

OMG! You have to be so very careful on countries you should not go to because you can very likely not return, not even knowing what the reason is and then only to find out it’s because of a donation to Ukraine or for any other lame excuses to send one to prison.
This is sad and unfair. May she get the help and support to get her back on US soil. 🙏

[annetteclark]

One problem is that the other country chooses which people they are willing to exchange/release. So we don't necessarily get the people, or all the people, we ask for. This is so sad. And: How did they know of her donation?

[wittelsbachercameron]

😂😂American propaganda 😂never true! The story is completely different … typical America always untruth!