Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that European companies and governments should be encouraged to negotiate with third countries to ensure the supply of shells from these countries to Ukraine, as well as to increase imports of ammunition from third countries to Europe.
Kuleba said this at a joint press conference with the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, the Foreign Ministry's press service reported.
"Can we even out the artillery balance with Russia? Definitely. If comprehensive efforts are made. It is necessary to enter into negotiations with the countries that have contracted shells in Europe and tell them: 'Excuse me, we are in the middle of the biggest war in Europe since World War II, we need these shells to protect Europe'," the minister said.
Kuleba noted that "there are still a lot of artillery shells in the world", so it is necessary to "triple our efforts to bring them to Europe from third-country warehouses".
He recalled that at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, there were examples of some countries telling manufacturers: "We ordered this from you, but we will wait, give it to Ukraine now."
"I want every Ukrainian soldier to know that every day in Brussels, Kyiv and other capitals, the only work being done is how to deliver more shells to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian soldier," he said.