MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. European countries’ production of weapons for Ukraine only delays prospects for a settlement to the conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

"European countries are directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict. They are not simply providing assistance. By opening weapons production plants and forming joint ventures with Ukraine’s defense industry, they are fully involved," the diplomat said, commenting on statements about Patriot production in Poland.

According to Zakharova, "this only delays a settlement to the conflict rather than bringing it closer, as some forces in Europe think or claim."

Earlier, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said that Warsaw had proposed Washington establish joint production with Ukraine of missiles for Patriot air defense systems in a "safe location."