Prince Harry praises Ukraine for ‘bravely’ defending Europe from Putin on surprise trip

Defiant Prince Harry, 41, is set to praise Ukraine as the “frontline of democracy itself” and will condemn Putin and Russia’s war crimes as “systematic and intentional”

Prince Harry in Ukraine this morning(Image: ITV)

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine and hailed the country for its “brave” defence against Russia.

Harry, 41, arrived in Kyiv by train following a deadly drone strike hit a railway yard in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region where officials said at least one worker was killed. He was greeted by Ramina Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the executive director of the Open Ukraine Foundation, who organised the Kyiv Security Forum.

In his speech to world leaders in the Ukrainian capital today, the prince is expected to frame Ukraine as “the frontline of democracy itself.” Harry is set to condemn Putin and Russia’s war crimes as “systematic and intentional” as well as warn the fight in Ukraine is a war “about values, not just territory.”

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to the country(Image: ITV )

He previously told The Sun: “It’s good to be back in Ukraine – a country bravely and successfully defending Europe’s eastern flank. It matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that.”

His comments come after Russia launched more than one thousand missiles and drones at Ukraine in the past seven days. Many parts of the capital have been left without heating following relentless strikes on energy infrastructure in the country.

Prince Harry said he wished “to remind people back home and around the world what Ukraine is up against.” His arrival in Ukraine marks his third visit to the country since Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022.

The ex-British soldier is expected to visit some of Ukraine’s participants in the Invictus Games, where wounded veterans recover via sport. Harry added: “I’m here to get on the ground, to re-connect and listen, to remind people back home and around the world what Ukraine is up against and to support the people and partners doing extraordinary work every hour of every day in incredibly tough conditions.”

He continued: “I’m looking forward to seeing friends and re-connecting with the Invictus community again and standing alongside those helping Ukraine win this fight.” Harry arrived in Ukraine following a four-day visit to Australia alongside his wife Meghan.

Members of the Royal Family have previously praised Ukraine, including Prince William who hailed the country’s “resilience” and also went on to ride a Challenger 2 tank in a show of Britain’s military presence in a bid to dissuade Russia from attacking NATO.