The Australian government has ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Kyiv amid concerns that Russian troops massing on Ukraine’s border are preparing to invade.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the remaining three staff members at the Australian embassy had been directed to leave as the situation becomes increasingly dangerous, and he condemned Russia’s actions as “utterly unacceptable”.
Military exercises involving Russian and Belarus forces on the border with Ukraine.Credit:AP
“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,” Mr Morrison said.
He said the government had already relocated other Australian-based staff and their families from the mission in Kyiv.
“They have already departed some time ago,” Mr Morrison said. “We have three remaining staff, and they have been instructed now to move – as other Five Eye countries are – to Lviv.
“But the situation, as you are all hearing as well, is deteriorating and reaching a very dangerous stage.”
Mr Morrison thanked the three staff members, who had remained to provide consular support to Australians, many of whom were dual Australian-Ukrainian citizens.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said the Australian government had established a temporary office in Lviv while operations were suspended at the Kyiv embassy.
Australian embassy in Kyiv evacuated as Russia invasion of Ukraine feared
Source: Philippines Alive
