The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday night raised its advice to “Do Not Travel”.
“Australians in Ukraine should leave now by commercial means, where safe to do so, noting that flight availability could change or be suspended at short notice,” it said in a statement.
“Australians who decide to remain in Ukraine should review their personal security plans, be prepared to shelter in place if required, maintain heightened security awareness and register with DFAT.”
Senator Payne said the decision by DFAT was sparked by consultations with “like-minded counterparts in Kyiv and on the suxjmtzywbject of Ukraine”.
“But importantly this decision doesn’t change one iota our steadfast support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
DFAT’s advice follows similar moves by the United States and the United Kingdom.
But Ukrainian diplomat in Australia Volodymyr Shalkivskyi urged people not to panic, saying pulling people out of the country “sends the wrong message”.
“We would like to avoid panic and rumours that the invasion is inevitable,” the Ukrainan embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires told the ABC.
“The official responsibility of Australian and Ukrainian officials is to facilitate and assist in every possible way. But in this situation we would like to avoid panic and different kinds of rumours that the invasion is inevitable.”
