MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy and issued a demarche over Washington's continued involvement in the fighting on the Ukrainian side, the ministry said in a statement.

"A demarche was made to the head of the US diplomatic mission, who was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on February 21 in connection with the growing US involvement in the hostilities on the side of the Kiev regime," the ministry said.

According to the diplomats, the note of protest, handed to the ambassador, emphasizes that pumping the Ukrainian armed forces with weapons, as well as giving targeting instructions for strikes against Russian servicemen and civilian infrastructure, clearly proves the inconsistency and falsity of Washington's claims that the US is not a party to the conflict. The ministry also pointed out that the weapons supplied to Kiev, as well as the service personnel, including American citizens, were a legitimate target for the Russian Federation.

"In this regard, it was pointed out to the ambassador that the United States’ current aggressive policy aimed at deepening confrontation with Russia in all areas was counterproductive," the Foreign Ministry stressed, "It was also stressed that Washington should take certain steps to ensure de-escalation, particularly withdrawing US and NATO troops and military equipment and putting an end to activities aimed against Russia"

"The Russian side also underscored that the US should give explanations about the explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines and not interfere with an objective investigation to identify those responsible," the ministry said.