London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

King Charles says he is determined to return to Ukraine ‘before I get too old’

King Charles says he is determined to return to Ukraine ‘before I get too old’

The monarch was speaking as he officially opened the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Headquarters

King Charles has revealed that he is determined to visit Ukraine “before I get too old”.

In a show of support for the country which has just marked one year since the Russian invasion, he said: “I must go again before I get too old. I would like the chance to see Ukraine again.”

The monarch was speaking as he officially opened the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Headquarters at London’s Canary Wharf.

The EBRD was established in 1991 at the end of the Cold War to build open market economies and promote private enterprise in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Their work now focuses on the green economy and digitalisation, investing more than £160 billion in projects in 36 economises across three countries.

After receiving a rousing welcome from hundreds of cheering staff, the king toured the building and was introduced to a charitable project being run by staff called ‘Kids and Art for Ukraine’.

Charles on the visit


He was given a landscape picture painted by Sofia Franchuk, a 16-year old living in the historic town of Tarashcha, around 120 kilometres of Kyiv, of the idyllic rural scene she sees from her window.

She has continued to attend art school and paint despite blackouts and lack of heating and based her picture on the ‘warm summer and peace’ that she hopes will come to Ukraine soon.

The king was genuinely touched by the gesture and asked to be given her address so he could personally write to her.

The project, which is supported by the ERD’s Community Initiative Programme, aims to help children affected by the war and offer psychological and therapeutic relief, raising more than £22,000 so far by selling the children’s paintings, with the bank matching donations.

Co-founder Olga Evans, a Ukrainian-born portfolio manager EBRD, said: “It was such an honour. The King seemed so pleased. He said he wanted to visit Ukraine before he got too old. We hope there will be peace soon so that he can. He wants to come to our country.”

The King toured some of the bank’s new offices, a 26-storey skyscraper which is one of the most environmentally advanced buildings in the UK and uses 100 per cent green power.

And he sat down for a meeting with many of the bank’s Ukrainian and Turkish staff who spoke to him emotionally about their experiences of conflict and the recent earthquake.

Jurgen Rigterink, first vice president on the bank, told the king that the bank was the leading international financial institution responding to both tragedies.

Before he left the king signed a visitors’ book - as well as viewing his signature from when he opened their previous premises 30 years ago - and unveiled a plaque.

As well as shaking hands with dozens more staff, he also undertook an impromptu walkabout in the street after several hundred members of the public stopped to catch a glimpse of him.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
×