WASHINGTON, December 7. /TASS/. Washington’s provocative rhetoric regarding the possibility of a direct clash between Russian and US Armed Forces is unacceptable for a responsible nuclear power, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said, according to the Russian embassy Telegram channel.

"In an attempt to 'add fuel' to the fire of the Ukrainian proxy war local authorities have finally lost touch with reality, easily discussing the likelihood of a direct clash between the armed forces of our countries. This kind of provocative rhetoric is unacceptable for a responsible nuclear state," the diplomat underscored. He made this remark, commenting on US authorities’ claims that Russia will allegedly not stop, should it win in Ukraine, and will invade a NATO member state, which will create preconditions for a direct clash between Russian and US Armed Forces.

"When it comes to our country, the local authorities do not shun any myth-making and propagation of dangerous lies: whether it is staged 'atrocities' in Bucha inspired by the West or Russia’s alleged plans to use nuclear weapons during a special military operation in Ukraine," the ambassador pointed out. "Such bogeyman stories are fabricated in order to justify to taxpayers and sober-minded political forces the huge expenses for 'containing' the Russian Federation," the diplomat said.

"Let me emphasize: Washington and insatiable US military-industrial complex are direct beneficiaries of the bloodshed in Ukraine. The 52nd 'package' of weapons allocated today for the needs of the deranged neo-Nazis in Kiev proves it. It is time for local authorities to come to their senses and stop wreaking chaos all over the world just to save American hegemony from fading out?" Antonov pointed out.

US President Joe Biden said the day before that Russia could invade a NATO country after a possible victory in Ukraine, which would draw the United States into the conflict.