The US provides Ukraine with 0.5 million shells, but more artillery and ammunition are needed - Austin at the meeting in Ramstein

 US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin states at the fifth meeting in the Rammstein format, the BBC reports.

"The USA, for example, provided almost half a million ammunition for 155 mm artillery," he noted.

Also at the meeting, negotiations were held on the priorities in Ukraine's self-defense.

"Right now, Ukraine urgently needs more artillery systems and ammunition. It also needs air defense, coastal defense and other critical equipment," Austin said.

Austin added that the U.S. and its NATO allies will discuss how to provide the Ukrainian military with what they need most at the next meeting of the contact group.

 After all, Russia also feels the lack of ammunition.

 Pentagon representative John Kirby said today that the Russian Ministry of Defense has to purchase artillery ammunition from the DPRK. He spoke of "millions of ammunition [for small arms], missiles and artillery shells".