NATO chief warns Ukraine 'paying the price' for ammo shortages

When NATO allies fail to deliver weapons and ammunition to Ukraine on time, "Ukrainians are paying the price," Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday in Kiev.

"The lack of ammunition has enabled the Russians to push forward along the front line," Stoltenberg said, singling out the United States for Washington's protracted process to send more military aid.

"European allies have not delivered the amount of ammunition they promised," Stoltenberg added, referring to the European Union's failure to deliver 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine in a year.

The secretary general was speaking in a press conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on an unannounced visit when he voiced his criticism.

"Lack of air defence has made it possible for more Russian missiles to hit their targets," Stoltenberg said.

"And the lack of deep strike capabilities has made it possible for the Russians to concentrate more forces, and we see the consequences of that now," he said.

Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion of the country for more than two years. Russian airstrikes have targeted areas throughout the country, with particularly intense attacks recently aimed at Ukraine's energy supplies.

Zelensky thanked the top NATO official for his support and stressed that he expected no further delays in the delivery of recently announced military aid.

Stoltenberg highlighted Spain's decision to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles. He said he expected further announcements of support for Ukraine to follow soon.