Australia's call for citizens to leave Ukraine sends 'wrong message': Ukrainian envoy

A senior Ukrainian diplomat stated that Australia's decision to withdraw diplomats' families from Ukraine amid a deteriorating security situation sends a "wrong mess" that a Russian invasion is imminent. Ukraine's top diplomat in Canberra, Volodymyr Shalkivskyi, advised against spreading "panic" and "rumours" that an invasion was looming. While Australia's defence minister, Peter Dutton warned of "bloody scenes" if Russia instigated a conflict in Eastern Europe, Guardian reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Australian government has also advised its citizens in Ukraine to leave country as soon as possible. 

Australian government has urged for a de-escalation of tensions, and also stressed that it will t send forces or military equipment if a clash erupts. Instead, Australia is concentrating its efforts on assisting Ukraine in combating cyber-attacks, report stated. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Dutton described situation as "precarious," claiming that Russia has made its intentions clear by deploying troops along Ukrainian border. He anticipated that aid from United Kingdom, United States, and or European countries would dissuade Russia from pursuing a fight with Ukraine. 

Australia asks its citizens to leave Ukraine 

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade increased its travel warning to "Do t Travel" on Monday night, January 24. "Australians in Ukraine should evacuate as soon as possible by commercial means if it is safe to do so," government said in a statement as per Guardian. government also stressed that flight availability could alter or be suspended at any time. Families of Australian diplomats are also leaving country, following in footsteps of United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. 

Russia deploys over 100,000 soldiers along Ukrainian border

Ukrainian embassy in Canberra stated that Australian government had right to evacuate diplomats' families, but it will send a wrong mess. It should be ted here that tensions in region have been escalating for months, with deployment of over 100,000 Russian troops on Ukraine's borders, which west claims is a prelude to a war to prevent Ukraine from joining rth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, Kremlin has continuously denied any intention of invading. According to Kremlin, additional NATO deployments to eastern flank, are indications of aggressive rhetoric and a cause of rising tensions.

Im: AP