澳大利亚总理莫里森13日批评中国在乌克兰问题保持着“令人不寒而栗的沉默”,但是却批评澳大利亚与盟友的和平行动。目前俄罗斯和乌克兰边界的局势在恶化,美国与欧洲都发出更严厉的警告说俄罗斯很可能在近期入侵乌克兰。澳大利亚已将使馆人员转移到乌克兰西部利沃夫的一个临时办事处。 https://bit.ly/3HRkYuO
Diplomatic staff who had been stationed in Kyiv have been directed to a temporary office in Lviv in Ukraine's west.
Acting deputy secretary national security and international policy Rod Brazier told Senate estimates the final five remaining staff members had arrived in Lviv on Sunday.
"(Sunday) morning as a result of the threat to peace and stability in the region, the Australian embassy in Kyiv was temporarily closed," he said.
"The embassy has set up a facility for operations. This is a temporary move that will be kept under review considering the security situation."
The prime minister said the situation in Europe was increasingly uncertain.
"It is time to stand up against those who seek to bully, whether it is Australia, Lithuania or indeed Ukraine," he said.
"It is time to stand up to the bullies, to the autocrats who work together."
Trade Minister Dan Tehan said Australia would enact strong economic sanctions against Russia should an invasion be carried out.
"We want a de-escalation, but if (invasion) happens, then you'll be looking at sanctions and we'll be a part of that," he said.
Mr Tehan said an invasion would also likely lead to an increase in oil and gas prices and put pressure on international markets.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the situation in Ukraine had reached a "dangerous juncture".
"It's a very dangerous situation and the reverberations will be felt far and wide if, in fact, the Russians do invade," Mr Frydenberg told the Nine Network.