MOSCOW, October 24. /TASS/. Ukraine is facing a huge deficit of ammunition both inside the country and the world over, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal told the Financial Times.

"We have a huge deficit of ammunition not just in Ukraine but all over the world," he said. "We understand we should produce this here in Ukraine because all around the world it’s finished, it’s depleted. All the warehouses are empty," he emphasized.

In this light, Ukraine tries to build its own industry to reduce its reliance on Western countries, the Ukrainian premier told the FT. At present, Kiev prioritizes sighing joint ventures with US and European defense companies. Ukraine’s conglomerate Ukroboronprom has signed an agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall to repair damaged Leopard tanks and other armored vehicles as well as to produce new ones, the FT said. According to Shmygal, that was one of about 20 agreements inked with Western arms manufacturers on cooperation and joint production.

On September 29, Kiev hosted the first defense industries forum. The event brought together more than 30 countries and 252 defense businesses, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said. At the forum, Ukrainian companies signed 20 agreements with foreign partners, including on the production of drones and ammunition.