Russian Couple
Russian couple who got engaged atop Empire State Building now faces deportation from US
A Russian couple who grabbed international headlines after climbing to the top of New York's iconic Empire State Building and apparently getting engaged are now facing possible deportation from the United States.
Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, stunned the busy city after scaling the landmark skyscraper and displaying a flag bearing the message: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."
Moments after displaying the flag, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau. The dramatic proposal was captured on camera, with the video quickly going viral across the globe.
According to a Fox News report, the couple had been negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. However, the negotiations reportedly came to an abrupt halt following an email from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
The couple recently appeared in court for a hearing in a separate case.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Kuznetsov said, "We didn't damage any property. We didn't intend to put anyone in danger."
"We just wanted to send a message of love, and we're ready to defend ourselves," he added, according to Fox News.
Their attorney, Noam Biale, said his legal team had accepted an offer from prosecutors under which the couple would plead guilty to misdemeanour charges in exchange for protection from what he described as "catastrophic immigration consequences".
However, Biale claimed that prosecutors withdrew the offer on the night before the couple's court appearance on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
"If sent back to Russia, Mr. Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine and Ms. Nikolau may be jailed for her artistic expression," Biale told Fox News.
"If sent back to Russia, Mr. Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine and Ms. Nikolau may be jailed for her artistic expression," Biale told the news channel.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
