Australian diplomats are being evacuated from Kyiv as tensions with Russia reach a “dangerous stage”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has lashed the “coalition of autocracies”, made up of Russia and China, for destabilising the world, amid rising fears of anMr Morrison urged any Australians still in Ukraine to leave immediately as he announced the Australian embassy in Kyiv would be closed and staff evacuated to work from a temporary office in Lviv.“The situation, as you are all hearing as well, is deteriorating and is reaching a very dangerous stage,” the Prime Minister said.
“I want to send a very clear message on behalf of Australia, a liberal democracy who believes in freedom and the sovereignty of states, not just in Europe, but in our own region as well, that the autocratic unilateral actions of Russia to be threatening and bullying Ukraine is something that is completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Russian military action in Ukraine would severely limit the government’s ability to provide consular assistance to Australians.“Australia continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she said.
“The coalition of autocracies that we are seeing, seeking to bully other countries, is not something that Australia ever takes a light position on, and, certainly, my government never has. “My government has always stood up to anybody who seeks to bully or coerce Australia, and the bullying and the coercion that we are seeing take place on the borders of Ukraine is an example of that, and it is unacceptable there, and it is unacceptable anywhere else.”Connect with
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