Russia: Ukraine trying to sour relations

MOSCOW, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday Ukraine's threats to expel its ambassador is another attempt to sour relations between the two neighbors.

RIA Novosti reported Kiev has warned Russian Ambassador Viktor Chernomyrdin that he could be expelled from the country over "unfriendly and extremely undiplomatic assessments, comments and statements regarding Ukraine and its leadership."

The Russian news service said Moscow decried the threat.

"It is amazing how consistent the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has been in its attempts to damage Russian-Ukrainian cooperation," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Chernomyrdin has been accused of violating diplomatic ethics and international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the ambassador is working to strengthen bilateral relations with Ukraine.

"Activities by Ambassador Chernomyrdin and other Russian representatives in Ukraine are aimed at creating favorable conditions for the development of bilateral relations in line with the Russian and Ukrainian peoples' genuine interests," the statement said.