MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron’s remark about the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine makes it clear that Western countries have started dividing Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

She pointed out that Macron "continues making statements about possibly sending troops to Ukraine." "He did not rule out that French troops might be deployed to Ukraine if the Russian army <...> broke through to Kiev or Odessa," Zakharova noted. "Clearly, Ukraine’s allies have started dividing the country. All the statements that Macron and other political figures from NATO member states are making about the possible deployment of troops or some paramilitary forces to Ukraine have to do with the division of Ukraine as they see it," she added.

The diplomat also said that "this is why they are unwilling to grant full NATO membership to Ukraine." "It’s about constant flirting with the issue and empty promises that are never kept because making Ukraine part of NATO means that all of the bloc’s members are ready to recognize its borders but not all NATO members are ready to do that. They are ready to occupy Ukraine and divide it; this is what political leaders in those countries are openly talking about. Actually, they are beginning to mentally prepare both their own people and Ukrainian citizens for such actions," Zakharova added.

According to her, "this is being done under a false flag, which is typical for NATO members." "This is another staged show of an alleged confrontation wit Russia but in fact, they are starting to divide between themselves what’s left of Ukraine," the diplomat stressed.