NATO has endorsed new funding for Ukraine's defense in the form of "trust funds" to help with logistics and cyberdefense, as well as command and control.
"If as a result of NATO's financial assistance Kiev moves to increase military expenditures, it will only deepen the economic crisis in Ukraine and will, most certainly, hinder the process of peaceful settlement in the country," Nebenzya said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Tensions have flared between the US-led NATO and Moscow over the alliance's growing military presence near Russia's western border in Eastern Europe. The military bloc ceased all practical cooperation with Moscow after Crimea's reunification with Russia, limiting contact to top-level officials.
Ukraine's non-aligned status, stipulating that the country would not seek membership of military-political alliances, was established in a 2010 law signed by then-President Viktor Yanukovych.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has repeatedly warned Kiev that a neutral status was in the best interests of the Ukrainian people, their neighbors and Europe.
Ukraine's big to join NATO has prompted mixed reactions from the alliance, with majority of NATO officials saying the country was not ready to join the bloc, urging Kiev to implement a wide range of reforms before pursuing NATO membership.
