Prince Harry has directly urged Vladimir Putin to "stop this war" during an unannounced visit to Kyiv, where he praised Ukraine for "still standing, still fighting." The Duke of Sussex, 41, addressed world leaders and high-ranking military officials at the Kyiv Security Forum, appealing to the Russian leader to "choose a different course."
Direct Appeal to Putin
"President Putin, no nation benefits from the continued loss of life we are witnessing," Harry said. "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." The visit aimed to "remind people back home and around the world" of Ukraine's war with Russia.
Warning Against Indifference
The Duke warned that "the world must not grow used" to or become "numb" to the conflict. "I am not here as a politician," he stated. "I am here 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."
Condemnation of War Crimes
Harry condemned "systematic war crimes," including deliberate attacks on civilians, mass killings, torture, sexual violence, and forced deportations. He highlighted the forcible transfer of children as potentially constituting genocide. "This is not collateral damage. This is not the chaos of war spilling over. This is organised, systematic, intentional, and designed to endure long after the fighting stops," he said.
Call for American Leadership
Referencing "American leadership" without naming Donald Trump, Harry said: "The United States has a singular role in this story... This is a moment for American leadership – a moment for America to show that it can honour its international treaty obligations – not out of charity, but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability."
Arrival and Message of Resilience
Harry arrived by overnight train from Poland, telling ITV News, "It's good to be back in Ukraine." He described Ukraine as "a country bravely and successfully defending Europe's eastern flank" and said: "You have adapted, you have endured. And you have held the line. Few believed that would be possible. And yet here you are – still standing, still fighting, still leading." He emphasised that the war is about values, sovereignty, and democracy. The visit follows a tour of Australia with his wife Meghan.
