国际英语新闻:Kerry urges Russia to end support to separatists in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Secretary John Kerry on Saturday called on Russia to end the flow of weapons and support to separatists in Ukraine.

In a phone talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry expressed strong concern about events over the last few days in Ukraine, including the transport of heavy weaponry and militants across the border and the shooting down of a Ukrainian transport flight overnight, the State Department said.

A military transport plane was shot down by anti-government militants in the eastern city of Lugansk in Ukraine earlier on Saturday, killing at least 49 Ukrainian troops.

Kerry also pressed Lavrov to make clear Russia's commitment to de-escalation by working with Ukraine for a ceasefire, amnesty, and political dialogue, according to a statement issued by the State Department.

The two officials also discussed the escalating threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, and the need to remove Syria's remaining chemical weapons material as soon as possible, said the statement.

In a separate statement, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States condemns the attack on the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, and calls on Ukrainian authorities to provide adequate security.

Protests against the Russian Embassy to Ukraine began Saturday. Cars with diplomatic plates were overturned, the building's windows smashed with rocks and the Russian flag torn down.

On Saturday, Kerry also spoke with Ukrainian Prime Minster Arseny Yatsenyuk and expressed condolences for the loss of life when the Ukrainian transport plane was shot down.

Kerry reiterated the support of the United States for Ukraine's commitment to defending its border and for Poroshenko's peace plan, said a statement issued by the State Department.

In addition, he underscored the commitment of the United States and G7 partners to raise the costs for Russia if it does not end the flow of weapons across the border and break with separatists, according to the statement.