Hands off Ukraine, Abbott tells Russia

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told Russia to "back off" in its incursions into Ukraine, saying they are not the actions of a friend and neighbour.

Commenting on the escalating crisis which has seen US President Barack Obama tell President Vladimir Putin that Russia has violated international law, and warn of reprisals, Mr Abbott said events were "very, very concerning".

"I think that every Australian, I think that people right around the world would be thinking right now, `Hands off the Ukraine'," he told Network Ten on Sunday.

"This is not the kind of action of a friend and neighbour, and really Russia should back off."

The UN Security Council is meeting for a second round of emergency consultations after Russia's parliament approved the deployment of troops in response to an uprising that swept pro-EU leaders to power in the Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian government, Russia has already sent 6000 troops into the Crimea.

"I think Russia needs to know and understand that it is simply unacceptable to interfere like this militarily with a neighbour - you just cannot do this," Mr Abbott said.

Asked if the US should use force to resist any Russian military action, Mr Abbott said: "That's not something that I want to speculate upon now".

"But plainly this is unacceptable behaviour," he said.

"You cannot just cross the border of another country with military force, with aggressive intent."