Irish rock star Bono praised Ukraine's fight for "freedom" during a performance at a central Kyiv metro station on Sunday, where the U2 frontman also delivered his own "peace" prayer.

From the platform of a Kyiv metro station, the 61-year-old rock icon sang the U2 classics "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Desire" and "With or without you".

"People in Ukraine are not only fighting for your own freedom, you are fighting for all of us who love freedom," Bono said during a break.

The band's Twitter account said Bono and bandmate 'The Edge' were invited to Kyiv by President Zelenskyy to perform "as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people."

The singer also referred to past conflicts in the band's native Ireland and its troubles with a more powerful neighbour.

"We pray that you will soon be able to enjoy some of that peace," Bono said.

U2's Bono and The Edge play pop-up gig in Kyiv metro station | Euronews