The gist and tone of the statements made by NATO-members on the situation in Ukraine risk to hamper progress in the peace process and escalate tensions in the violence-torn country, Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday

The gist and tone of the statements made by NATO-members on the situation in Ukraine risk to hamper progress in the peace process and escalate tensions in the violence-torn country, Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday in a statement, commenting on the results of the NATO summit in Wales.

“The gist and tone of statements on the situation around Ukraine and the announced plans of NATO countries to conduct a joint drill with Ukraine on its territory before the end of this year are bound to escalate tensions, threaten the start of progress regarding a peaceful settlement in Ukraine and contribute to the deepening of the split in Ukrainian society,” the ministry said.

Moscow accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of supporting neo-Nazi and extremist forces in Ukraine, particularly the Right Sector.

“Moreover, they testify to NATO’s unreserved support for Kiev’s neo-Nazi and extremist forces, including the Right Sector,” the statement says.

Moscow also stated that NATO adopted a line towards eastward expansion, the plan which has been nurtured for a long time, while “the Ukrainian crisis became merely an excuse for the start of their implementation.”

Russia will examine in detail the specific decisions of the summit, but is not surprised by the results.

“The alliance established in the Cold War era as a military and political bloc cannot change its genetic code by definition. Its strategic course on interfering in the affairs of foreign states did not emerge yesterday or today. It logically flows from NATO’s search for its role and place in the global security system under the conditions of the absence of a coalition military confrontation,” the ministry’s statement says.

Following Crimea’s reunification with Russia in March 2014, NATO has been boosting its military presence close to Russia’s border. In particular, dispatching a number of warships to the Black Sea and reinforcing air patrolling missions in Baltic airspace.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing NATO military presence close to its borders.