MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The involvement of NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine is maximal, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.

"NATO countries are playing innocent, trying to prove that they are not a party to the conflict [in Ukraine] <...>. The involvement [of NATO countries] is maximal, [they’ve been carrying out] provocative activity for many years. Now they directly control the leadership of the Kiev regime, they are all connected."

According to Zakharova, Moscow also drew attention to media reports that Ukraine might organize joint licensed production of shells and other weapons with the UK and create similar military enterprises with other NATO countries. "It is obvious that big Western capital is behind the pumping of the Ukrainian armed forces, the formation of combat operations," the diplomat noted.