INTERNATIONAL: Australian diplomats will remain in Kiev but their family members will be withdrawn from Ukraine, due to concerns on Russia, Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has announced on Tuesday ,January 25.
Tensions are high after Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near its neighbour's border, surrounding Ukraine with forces from the north, east and south. Moscow has insisted it has no plans to invade.
"This is a matter of prudence and caution to protect the safety of Australians and particularly the dependants of diplomatic staff. But it in no way detracts from our absolute commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," foreign minister Marise Payne has told a news conference in Sydney. Payne has also ruled out offering military assistance to Ukraine.
NATO has said on Monday, January 24, it was putting forces on standby and reinforcing eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets, in what Russia denounced as Western "hysteria" in response to its build-up of troops on the Ukraine border.
