MOSCOW, (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the West's policy of containing Russia is a very serious issue fraught with the risk of a direct armed clash between the nuclear powers.

Lavrov said in an interview with Russia's Tass news agency on Tuesday that "irresponsible speculation" that Russia is about to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine is constantly unfolding in the West.

"We are talking about something completely different: the comprehensive containment policy pursued by the West against our country is very dangerous, as it risks sliding into a direct armed clash between the nuclear powers," the Russian foreign minister continued.

Lavrov explained that Moscow has repeatedly expressed that there can be no winners in the event of a nuclear war, which should never be unleashed.

Lavrov noted that Western politicians are increasing their rhetoric on the issue of a nuclear war, saying that they are the ones who should be asked whether this issue will continue in 2023.

The Russian Foreign Minister expressed his "deep concern about the loud propaganda" in the United States and Western countries in general about nuclear weapons.