国际英语新闻：Moscow urges Kiev to recall two diplomats

MOSCOW, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Moscow has asked Ukraine to recall two senior diplomats following a similar request from Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

    "The Ukrainian ambassador was notified that Russia proposes that Ukraine consider recalling its consul general in St. Petersburg and one of the counselors at the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow," the RIA Novosti news agency reported citing the statement.

    Earlier Kiev had asked the Russian consul general in Odessa and senior counselor at the Russian embassy to end their duty in Ukraine.

    "Although the Ukrainian side has suspended the decision in respect of the Russian consul general, the Russian side considers official Kiev's action as downright anti-Russian and detrimental to the development of relations between Russia and Ukraine," said the statement, as quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency.

    The statement also said that Moscow's decision on the Ukrainian consul general was also suspended.

    "Such provocative actions by the Ukrainian side in respect of the aforementioned Russian diplomats cannot be left without response," said the statement.