Abbott tells Russia to "back off"

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sent a blunt message to Russia to back off from Ukraine, with diplomatic relations already feeling the impact.

The government on Monday summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Morozov to explain his country's decision to allow troops into Crimea, a region of Ukraine with strong historic ties to its powerful neighbour.

Mr Abbott told parliament the envoy was told "in no uncertain terms" about Australia's concern about Russia's actions.

"Unprovoked aggressions should have no place in our world," he said.

"Russia should back off, it should withdraw its forces from the Ukraine and people of the Ukraine ought to be able to determine their future themselves."

In light of the developments, Trade Minister Andrew Robb has cancelled a visit to Russia. A visit to Australia by a Russian national security adviser will also not go ahead, Mr Abbott said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backed the government's stance.

But Mr Morozov defended Russia's military presence in Crimea, claiming they were invited by the newly-elected government and the Russian fleet had long been located in the region.

"Nothing is going on with any invasion to Ukraine," he told reporters through an interpreter, following his meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.

Self-defence troops in the Crimea are trying to stabilise the situation and secure the Crimea, he said.

The Russian parliament had only given consent to President Vladimir Putin to send troops into the Crimean peninsula but no such decision had been taken yet, he added.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop played down the possibility of Australia recalling its ambassador in Moscow, saying the government was taking its diplomacy step by step.

She repeated calls for Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine during this "volatile" situation.

"This must be resolved by Russia withdrawing its troops and all lines of communication should remain open," she told reporters at DFAT.

The government has upgraded its travel advisory to Ukraine, warning Australians to exercise a very high degree of caution in the country and avoid Crimea altogether.

Mr Morozov said the newly-elected Crimean government has asked for Russia's support and wanted to hold a referendum on gaining independence.

He told Australian officials during his meeting at DFAT it was in Russia's deep interest to keep Ukraine united but Crimea did not fully accept the interim authorities in control there.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said preserving Ukraine's territorial integrity was paramount.

"Any threat to that is completely unacceptable," she said in a statement.