Britain’s Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Thursday, where he called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war in Ukraine and urged stronger international leadership to bring the conflict to a close.
Speaking at a security forum in Kyiv, Harry directly appealed to Putin, saying no nation benefits from continued loss of life and stressing that there is still time to change course and prevent further suffering for both Ukrainians and Russians.
He also called on the United States, led by Donald Trump, to demonstrate leadership in helping resolve the war, stating that global powers must meet their international obligations.
Harry, who is visiting Ukraine for the third time since the war began, delivered unusually direct political remarks compared to the traditional neutrality of the British royal family. His comments drew strong applause from the audience.
He praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people and highlighted the country’s military innovation, including its development of advanced drone capabilities.
During his speech, Harry described himself as a soldier, humanitarian, and supporter of Ukraine, saying the world must not become numb to the consequences of the war.
On his visit, he is also expected to meet with representatives of the HALO Trust, a demining organisation supported by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as participants of the Invictus Games Foundation, which he founded to support injured veterans.
His appearance in Kyiv marks one of his most politically direct interventions since stepping back from senior royal duties, reflecting growing global concern over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
