Australia demands Russian envoy explain Ukraine

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government has summoned the Russian ambassador to explain his country's actions in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the secretary of her department, Peter Varghese, will meet with Ambassador Vladimir Morozov on Monday.

"We'll express our concerns officially, directly through him and also seek to ascertain exactly what the Russian government thinks it's doing," Bishop told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio on Monday.

Asked if her government was considering expelling the envoy, Bishop replied: "Well, first thing's first."

Ukraine put its military on high alert Sunday and appealed for international help to avoid what it feared was the possibility of a wider invasion by Russia.

A day after Russia captured the Crimean peninsula without firing a shot, fears grew in the Ukrainian capital and beyond that Russia might seek to expand its control by seizing other parts of eastern Ukraine.

Bishop urged Ukraine's new government to continue its restraint in the face of provocation, adding she was concerned to learn a request from Ukraine for urgent talks with Russia had been knocked back.

Australia has made clear its unequivocal support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and that the use of force was "completely unacceptable," she said.

The Australian government has advised it citizens not to travel to Ukraine.