US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison appeared to threaten war against Russia in comments Tuesday, saying the US was prepared to preemptively “take out” certain Russian missiles that the US objects to Russia having.

Hutchison added that Russia was “on notice” that the US was prepared to launch preemptive military strikes against them, and would not allow Russia to keep any missiles that the US believes are in violation of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.

Attacking Russia would be a serious issue, whether or not US officials believe they have a treaty pretext to justify it. Russian officials were quick to warn that they don’t think people making such statements realize the “danger of aggressive rhetoric.”

The US has at times accused Russia of violating the INF with certain tests, though Russia insists the missiles in question are in technical compliance. Talk of seeking a diplomatic solution certainly doesn’t seem to be serious, if it comes with threats of a preemptive US attack on Russia, certainly starting a global war.