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Kyle Richards made it clear by what she said and what she didn't say ... her sister Kim is in crisis.

We got Kyle out in Bev Hills Wednesday, and she opened up and said she hasn't spoken with Kim since Kim's daughter tied the knot in Mexico over the weekend.

As we reported, Kim was off the rails, pissing off everyone and apparently under the influence of something. Kyle says everything's okay now, but the way she says it makes it painfully obvious ... she's protecting her sister who is way off the wagon again.