Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Kyiv on April 23, urging President Vladimir Putin to "stop this war" and calling on the United States to show decisive leadership. Speaking at a security forum, he praised Ukrainian resilience and highlighted the military's inventive use of drones. During the two-day trip he planned to visit the HALO Trust demining charity and meet Invictus Games participants.
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Visit To Kyiv, Urges Putin To 'Stop This War' And Calls For U.S. Leadership
Britain's Prince Harry speaks at the Kyiv Security Forum, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on April 23, urging Russia's president to end the war and pressing the United States to show stronger diplomatic leadership after a large Russian aerial attack on the country.
Britain's Prince Harry takes part in a panel discussion with Ukrainian veterans who are Invictus Games athletes, during the Kyiv Security Forum, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Direct Appeal And Calls For Action
Speaking at a Kyiv security forum during his third trip since the conflict began, Harry addressed Vladimir Putin directly:
Britain's Prince Harry shakes hands with Kyiv Security Forum Chair Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the start of the forum, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
"President Putin, no nation benefits from the continued loss of life we are witnessing. There is still a moment—now—to stop this war, to prevent further suffering for Ukrainians and Russians alike, and to choose a different course."
He also urged Washington to increase its efforts: "This is a moment for American leadership, a moment for America to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations." Harry commended Europe's robust response and called for continued, scaled support: "The task now is to match endurance with speed, solidarity with scale, and commitment with consistency."
Britain's Prince Harry speaks with former Polish President Andrzej Duda before the start of the Kyiv Security Forum, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 23, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Visits And Humanitarian Focus
During the two-day trip Harry was expected to visit the HALO Trust demining charity, an organization long supported by his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and to meet Ukrainian participants in the Invictus Games Foundation he founded, which aids wounded veterans' recovery through sport.
Britain's Prince Harry steps off a train as he arrives, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at the railway station in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 23, 2026. Press service of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS
A British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Harry said he spoke "as a soldier who understands service, as a humanitarian who has seen the human cost of conflict, and as a friend of Ukraine who believes the world must not grow used to this war or numb to its consequences." His remarks drew prolonged applause as he praised Ukrainian resilience and noted the military's innovative use of technology, including advanced drones.
Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; additional reporting and writing by Anna Pruchnicka and Mike Holden; editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Hugh Lawson.
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