Australia's remaining diplomatic employees within the Ukrainian metropolis of Lviv will go away and transfer to japanese Poland and Romania.
Overseas Minister Marise Payne has confirmed "because of the elevated threat" the Australian officers have been directed to depart the nation amid rising considerations about armed battle.
"Australia stands in solidarity with Ukraine and continues to name on Russia to stop and reverse its unprovoked assault on its democratic neighbour," Ms Payne mentioned.
It comes because the Australian Authorities condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's declaration at present that the Donetsk and Luhansk areas of japanese Ukraine are unbiased states.
"This flagrantly undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has no validity underneath worldwide legislation," Ms Payne mentioned.
"We additionally condemn President Putin's announcement that Russia is deploying so-called 'peacekeepers' to japanese Ukraine.
"These personnel aren't peacekeepers."
READ MORE: US calls for Putin withdraw from Ukraine
Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed this at present as he declared earlier Russia "ought to step again".
Mr Morrison described the suggestion that troops have been being ordered into the Moscow-backed separatist territories to take care of peace as "nonsense".
"It ought to unconditionally withdraw again behind its personal borders and cease threatening its neighbours," Mr Morrison mentioned of the transfer, which seems to be a precursor for full-blown invasion.
"It is unacceptable, it is unprovoked, it is unwarranted," he mentioned.
Ms Payne mentioned the Australian Authorities is coordinating intently with the US, UK, European Union and different governments world wide "to make sure there are extreme prices for Russia's aggression".
"Together with our companions, we're ready to announce swift and extreme sanctions that may goal key Russian people and entities accountable for undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she mentioned.
Talking with The Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Abbott mentioned Russia could possibly be getting ready to bringing down a "new Iron Curtain" on japanese Europe.
Mr Morrison mentioned he was "conscious" of Mr Abbott's feedback however that he was centered on speedy developments.
Opposition Chief Anthony Albanese has additionally condemned the motion and known as for Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty.
"We condemn Russia's unilateral recognition of breakaway territories in Ukraine," Mr Albanese mentioned from Tasmania.
"We respect the sovereignty of Ukraine. Russia ought to try this too, in accordance with worldwide legislation.
"There isn't a place in 2022 for nation-states to attempt to carve off sections of one other sovereign nation-state, which is what we're seeing right here."
Mr Albanese known as on different nations to affix within the condemnation of Russia's actions.
"We additionally suppose that China and different international locations want to talk out in assist of the sovereignty of Ukraine," he mentioned.
Kevin Rudd, who preceded Mr Abbott as prime minister, additionally hit out at Moscow.
"Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a gross violation of worldwide legislation demanding common condemnation by all, together with China," he wrote on Twitter.
"Respecting the integrity of nationwide borders is axiomatic to world order.
"It additionally occurs to be a core principle of China's acknowledged overseas coverage doctrine."
Earlier at present Mr Putin recognised the 2 pro-Moscow territories - the Donetsk Individuals's Republic and the Luhansk Individuals's Republic - as unbiased.
US to hit breakaway areas with sanctions
President Joe Biden plans to impose new sanctions on commerce and financing within the two territories.
Mr Biden's government order may even enable the US to impose sanctions on anybody working in these areas.
The White Home mentioned it will "quickly announce further measures associated to at present's blatant violation of Russia's worldwide commitments."
NATO and European officers additionally condemned Mr Putin's actions in statements. NATO Secretary Normal Jens Stoltenberg mentioned the transfer "additional undermines" Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned that Mr Putin's recognition of the separatist areas was an "in poor health omen and a really darkish signal."
The UK plans to announce new sanctions on Russia on Tuesday (native time), UK Overseas Secretary Liz Truss mentioned on Twitter.
Mr Biden has consulted with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on a name at present.
He additionally spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
With CNN