“Russia has an adequate response to any attempts by the US to pressure it with the use of force,” Vladimir Yermakov, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Weapons Control and Non-Proliferation, said.

“The American myth of it entering the era of all-round and undivided domination existed for less than a dozen years, but is now in tatters,” he said, adding that Russia is back in its historic role of “one of the guarantors of stability and justice in global affairs.”

Washington has to begin talking to Russia as soon as possible because “the military-technological weight of the US keeps steadily decreasing on the international arena,” Yermakov said.