The sound of air raid sirens and explosions rang out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Sunday (October 4) as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, pledging support for Ukraine and urging Russia to halt its escalating attacks.

Merz will announce a package of measures including the release of €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and €350 million for repairs in the energy sector, German government officials said. A deal for joint production of various kinds of drones is also due to be finalized.

The two leaders visited the badly damaged building of Ukraine's Academy of Sciences, where at least two people died in a drone strike last week as Russia pounded the heart of Kyiv with some of the most persistent drone strikes since the start of the war in 2022.

"I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war," Merz said.

"We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop," he added.

Four air raid alerts were heard across the capital on Sunday morning, and explosions and air defence systems also sounded across the city.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KYIV, UKRAINE (OCTOBER 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ ARRIVING

2. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY STANDING NEXT TO MERZ / MERZ GREETING RESCUERS AND ACADEMY WORKERS

3. ZELENSKIY STANDING WITH MERZ AND GERMAN MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS KATHERINA REICHE / AUDIO OF AIR RAID ALERT

4. MERZ AND ZELENSKIY COMING TO REPORTERS / AUDIO OF AIR RAID ALERT

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

"Absolutely barbarian neighbours, Russians, and that's why we have such terrible attitude to people and terrible nights and days we have. But what is positive that we have unity and we have strong partners. We are very thankful, Friedrich, that you are here and so important message, very brave message from you personally and from your nation. Thank you very much."

6. DAMAGED ACADEMY OF SCIENCE BUILDING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ, SAYING:

"And this morning, on a peaceful Sunday, an air-raid siren sounded in Kyiv. I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war. We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. These are daily war crimes being committed here. This is the infrastructure, the country is preparing for winter. I appeal once again to the Russian leadership, to the Russian President: put an end to this war. We can talk, but only once the guns fall silent – and the guns must fall silent."

8. MERZ AND ZELENSKIY LEAVING

9. VARIOUS OF DAMAGED BUILDING