Australian diplomats have been ordered to evacuate Ukraine following the mobilisation of Russian forces into the two breakaway provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. Foreign Minister Marise Payne condemned President Vladimir Putin’s decision to deploy troops under the pretence of “peacekeeping” and said Australia was working with the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and other governments on “swift and severe” sanctions. “The Australian government condemns President Putin’s declaration today that the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine are independent states,” she said in a statement on Feb. 22. “We continue to urge all Australians to leave Ukraine immediately. Do not delay. The safety of Australians and officials is our priority,” she added. Australian embassy operations in Lviv have temporarily closed and its officials have deployed to eastern Poland and Romania to assist Australians seeking to depart Ukraine, the minister said. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is holding out …