Trump promises cheeseburger to US Marine freed by Russia
- Russia has freed former US Marine Robert Gilman from detention, four years after his sentence was disputed by his family.
- US President Donald Trump promised Gilman 'a great cheeseburger' upon his release and credited a conversation with Vladimir Putin for the development.
- Gilman, reported to be in poor health, was serving a sentence that his family and the US government had long contested.
Release after years of detention
Russia has released former US Marine Robert Gilman from detention, ending a four-year ordeal that his family and the US government had repeatedly disputed. The development was confirmed by multiple agencies on Tuesday. Gilman, whose health had reportedly deteriorated while in custody, is now believed to be on his way to US care facilities.
The release follows a period of intense diplomatic back-channel talks between Washington and Moscow. While details of the negotiation have not been fully disclosed, US President Donald Trump was quick to claim credit, saying the breakthrough came after a direct conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump's promise of a cheeseburger
In a statement to reporters, Trump said he had assured Gilman of a hearty welcome home. "I told him, you're going to get a great cheeseburger," the President said, adding that the Marine's release was a moment of triumph. The comment drew a mix of amusement and criticism, with some observers noting the gravity of the situation.
Trump also suggested that the conversation with Putin had been productive, though he did not elaborate on what was discussed. The White House has not yet released an official readout of the call, and neither the Kremlin nor the Russian foreign ministry has commented on the specifics of the arrangement.
Who is Robert Gilman?
Robert Gilman, a former US Marine, was detained in Russia in 2022 on charges that his family and US officials have long argued were baseless. The nature of the charges has not been publicly detailed in recent reports, but his family had maintained his innocence throughout. Over the years, his health emerged as a growing concern, with advocates and lawmakers pressing for his release on humanitarian grounds.
His case became part of a broader pattern of Americans detained in Russia, often used as bargaining chips in geopolitical standoffs. The US has consistently denied such allegations, but the release of Gilman is being seen as a rare positive development in an otherwise strained relationship between the two nations.
Reactions and next steps
While Trump's cheeseburger remark grabbed headlines, the larger story is the diplomatic effort that led to Gilman's freedom. Former diplomats and military veterans have welcomed the news, though some have cautioned against reading too much into the release. "This is a good day for the family, but the underlying tensions remain," one former State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Gilman's family has not yet issued a public statement, and it is unclear when he will arrive in the United States. Officials have said he will receive medical evaluation and support upon his return. The exact terms of his release, including whether any reciprocal concessions were made by Washington, have not been confirmed.
What to watch
As Gilman begins his recovery, attention will shift to the fate of other Americans still held in Russia. The Biden administration, and now the Trump administration, have consistently prioritised securing the release of detained citizens, and this success may signal a willingness on both sides to engage on similar cases. Whether this marks a thaw in US-Russia relations or a one-off humanitarian gesture remains to be seen.