MOSCOW

Russia called on nuclear-armed countries Thursday to rule out the possibility of a nuclear war.

In a written message to the participants of a memorial ceremony in Hiroshima on the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city that heralded the end of World War II, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed the need to officially seal a commitment to "never unleash such a war."

"We need to eliminate the risk of military confrontation between the nuclear powers and rule out the possibility of a nuclear war. We firmly believe that such a war cannot be won and must never be unleashed. We suggest that all nuclear powers officially confirm their commitment to this tenet," said Lavrov.

Russian authorities have in recent years been warning against growing risks of nuclear conflict following the US' withdrawal from multiple international disarmament treaties, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and Open Skies Treaty.

In July, Lavrov voiced concern over Washington's refusal to reaffirm the position that a nuclear war would have no winners and that such a conflict could never be unleashed.

He also expressed worry on reports by the Pentagon of a build-up of low-yield nuclear arsenals.

In addition, concerns are also fueled by changes in declared US military doctrine that does not rule out the possibility of using nuclear weapons.