Getting Australians out of Ukraine amid Russia tensions a 'cautious' step, government says

The federal government has defended its decision to urge Australians to leave Ukraine and begin making arrangements to get the families of diplomats out of the capital. Key points: There are around 1,400 Australians in Ukraine at the moment Ukraine has described the government's move to get diplomat's families out of the country as "premature" Australia has offered more support to Ukraine to bolster its cybersecurity defences against Russia On Monday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated the travel advice for the country to "do not travel" because of the "increased risk of armed conflict". Australia's decision to join other allies like the United States and the United Kingdom and withdraw the family members of diplomats and issue travel warnings has been criticised by Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko as "premature". Photo shows Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces wearing snow camo stand in a snowy wooded area in Kyiv, one holds a machine gun Russian President Vladimir Putin has long believed that Russia and Ukraine should be reunited as one country. Senator Payne said while Australia had ruled out any military assistance if Russia did invade Ukraine, it would continue to offer cyber security help against online attacks.