"NATO members are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition".
This was stated by the alliance's secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, adding that it is this shortage that has allowed Russia to make progress in recent months, AFP reports.
"The Ukrainians do not lack courage. They lack ammunition," Stoltenberg said.
"Together we have the capacity to provide Ukraine with what it needs. Now we have to show the political will to do it."
Stoltenberg's warning comes at a time when military support from Kiev's key backer, the United States, remains blocked in Congress by hard-line Republicans who oppose President Joe Biden.
"All allies need to make deep strides and get results quickly. Every day we delay has real consequences on the battlefield in Ukraine," the secretary-general said.
"So this is a critical moment, and it would be a serious historic mistake to let Putin prevail."
Ukrainian and Western officials have said Kiev's forces are outnumbered by Russia as support from key backers wanes.
While the political stalemate is stopping support from Washington, European countries are struggling to increase production of munitions and weapons from their industries.
"We need solutions that invest more in the defence industry," Stoltenberg said.
"We need to ensure that our governments enter into contracts with the defence industry so they can make commercial decisions to increase production."
The European Union has launched a number of initiatives to try to increase production, and insists that levels are rising.
But the 27-nation bloc has reneged on a pledge last year to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells by this month. / BGNES
