Ukrainian war veteran, public figure, and the star of the 13th season of the romantic reality show “The Bachelor”, Oleksandr Budko (known by his call sign “Teren”), shared details of his meeting with Britain’s Prince Harry. This significant event took place on April 23, 2026, in the capital of Ukraine during the 18th Kyiv Security Forum. The veteran posted about their interaction and shared photos on his Instagram page. The Duke of Sussex arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit to address the international community and express his unwavering support for the Ukrainian people amidst the ongoing Russian invasion.
During his speech at the forum, Prince Harry focused on the global implications of the war and emphasized that the world must not turn a blind eye to Ukraine’s struggle. He openly accused Russia of blatantly violating the Budapest Memorandum, highlighting that the security guarantees provided to Ukraine in exchange for relinquishing its nuclear arsenal had been cynically trampled upon. The British royal called on world leaders, particularly the United States, to honor their international commitments and provide the nation with everything necessary for victory. His words served as a powerful reminder that Ukraine is not just defending its own territory, but the democratic values of the entire free world.
Following the official part of his address, Prince Harry dedicated time to engaging with Ukrainian military personnel and veterans. Among those who had the opportunity to speak with the Duke was Oleksandr Teren. Their meeting carried a special, symbolic meaning. In his social media post, the Ukrainian defender shared a series of photographs, one of which was taken back in September 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany. That was during the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, founded by Prince Harry. At the time, they only had a brief introduction. The other pictures capture their recent, more profound meeting in Kyiv.
“The difference between the photos is 3 years. We once met in Düsseldorf, where we exchanged brief phrases. Today, we sit on the same stage, and this shared conversation has grown longer. Thank you to Mr. Harry for the Invictus Games, which once ‘forced’ me to quickly undergo rehabilitation and recovery so that I would no longer feel like an ‘invalid’,” Oleksandr Budko wrote. The veteran stressed that participating in these competitions helped him return to an active life and find a new sense of purpose after losing his legs on the battlefield. At the 2023 Invictus Games, Budko won a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event.
Prince Harry’s visit to Kyiv in April 2026 marks his third trip to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Previously, he visited a rehabilitation center for veterans in Lviv and later met with soldiers in Kyiv, honoring the memory of fallen heroes. His ongoing involvement and the activities of the Invictus Games Foundation play a crucial role in the physical and psychological rehabilitation of thousands of Ukrainian defenders returning from the frontline. The continuous backing from influential figures like the Duke of Sussex gives Ukrainian warriors a powerful incentive to fight and heal, while reminding the global community of the high price of freedom.