Kremlin says German diplomat expulsions were standard retaliatory move

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia's expulsion of two German diplomats was a standard diplomatic response to a similar move by Germany last week and that a row over the murder of a Georgian in Berlin would not harm ties any further.

Russia ordered the expulsion of two German diplomats earlier on Thursday. Germany expelled two Russian diplomats last week over what it said was Moscow's refusal to cooperate in the investigation of a murder where German prosecutors suspect Russian or Chechen involvement.