Ukraine's Charge d'Affaires in Australia, Volodymyr Shalkivskyi, told the ABC his embassy had fielded about 20 calls this morning from people interested in heading to his country to fight the Russians.
"We are grateful to all Australians who are offering their assistance but at the same time we don't want them to get into trouble when they get home," Mr Shalkivskyi said.
"Of course we call for any possible assistance and there are many people in eastern Europe — our neighbours — who want to join."
He said that while he had no official advice from Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenkyy's public statements were clearly in support of establishing a foreign legion.
"This foreign legion is the best way to employ these [foreign fighters] to coordinate this kind of action," Mr Shalkivskyi said.
Over the weekend Mr Zelenskyy issued a call to arms to people around the world.
"All friends of Ukraine who want to join the defence, come and we will give you arms," Mr Zelenskyy said.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would back any British citizens who wanted to help Ukrainians fighting for freedom.
Mr Morrison took a more cautious approach when asked, and argued he would "counsel against" such moves.
"This is a complicated situation, and at present it is still somewhat unclear what the President of Ukraine has proposed," he said.
"But I would stress this, our travel advice to all Australians is do not travel to Ukraine."
He said the matter would be discussed during a meeting of cabinet's National Security Committee on Tuesday.
"I can understand, absolutely, the strong feelings and the motivations for people to go and do that," Mr Morrison said.
"But I would say at this time, the legality of such actions are uncertain under Australian law."
Sanctions against Putin in place
Australian sanctions against Vladimir Putin and senior members of his government have come into effect as Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its second week.
Travel bans and financial sanctions have been imposed against the Russian President, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Prime Minister and Internal Affairs Minister.
It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told Brisbane radio station 4BC he would speak with Ukraine's President later today.
Mr Putin has put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert in the face of a barrage of Western reprisals for his war on Ukraine, which said it had repelled Russian ground forces attacking its biggest cities.
"It's a reckless thing to say in these circumstances," Mr Morrison told Nine Radio.
"I think the advance in Ukraine has not gone to quite the timetable or plan that I think Russia expected."
The sanctions on Mr Putin and his senior leaders are among other sanctions imposed Russian banks and on about 350 Russian citizens.
Australian officials spent the weekend seeking advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on how to design the sanctions on Mr Putin, after countries including the United States and United Kingdom announced they would target the individuals.
Future Fund to sell holdings in Russian companies
Australia's investment fund has announced it will begin "winding down" and selling its holdings in Russian companies.
The Future Fund is tasked with investing in things that will provide a return to the government and the taxpayer.
It was created in 2006 to make sure the federal government could pay for public servants' superannuation in the future and ease the pressure on the Commonwealth's finances.
"The Future Fund has implemented all sanctions imposed by Australia, the United States and the European Union to date. We have devoted significant resources to compliance and will continue to do so as additional sanctions are announced," it said in a statement.
"The Fund holds around 0.1 per cent of the Fund or around $200 million in companies listed on the Russian stock exchange.
"We have no holdings in Russian sovereign debt or other fixed income."
It also made clear the holdings it did have were not currently subject to any sanctions, but it would look to move away from them "as market conditions permit".
Australia has also committed to providing weapons, non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine.
