America News Agency

United States (US) Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff announced that former US Marine Robert Gilman, who had been detained in Russia for more than four years, was released and returned to the US.

Witkoff said Gilman had been reunited with his family and would be able to access the medical care he needs. Describing Gilman as a “patriot,” Witkoff said the former US Marine had served his country with honor.

Witkoff described Gilman's return as another demonstration of US President Donald Trump's determination to bring Americans held abroad back home, recalling that Marc Fogel and Ksenia Karelina had also been brought back to the US from Russia under Trump's leadership.

Witkoff said that, at Trump's direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Adam Boehler, Sebastian Gorka, Jared Kushner and he himself worked closely together to secure Gilman's release.

The statement also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting Gilman a pardon on humanitarian grounds and for his personal attention throughout the process.

Witkoff said the US administration would continue working to ensure the safe return of all Americans held abroad and concluded his message with the words, “Welcome home, Robert.”