The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized U.S. security officials for saying the world should be prepared for "Moscow's pretext" for invading Ukraine. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Sunday's remark by the U.S. national security advisor was reminiscent of America's actions prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 when it alleged that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. The claim was used as the rationale to invade Iraq. An investigation later revealed that Washington's allegation was false.