Ruddâ€™s Russia trip: Diplomacy or job application?

AUSTRALIAN diplomats fear Kevin Rudd's visit to Moscow and Kiev will harm attempts to isolate the aggressive Russian leadership.

And there is Government speculation the former Prime Minister has expanded his mission to the troubled Ukraine as part of a bid to become ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Australian envoys have been ordered to monitor his movements in case he takes positions which clash with official strategies, a senior source has told news.com.au.

Australia is part of a Western campaign to essentially isolate the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to his military threats against Ukraine, particularly in the strategic Crimean Peninsular.

A grab from Ukrainian TV shows Colonel Yuli Mamchor, commander of the Ukrainian military garrison, talking to his men in front of Russian forces. Source: AFP

But diplomats have been stunned by suggestions Mr Rudd wants to talk to a number of parties involved in the showdown rather than freeze relations with them.

"We just want to make sure we know where he is," said one source.

Mr Rudd planned a visit to Moscow at least three weeks before the Russian-Ukraine stand-off began and before the elections there.

"As everybody knows, Mr Rudd is engaged in a Harvard Kennedy School Project on China's future role in the global order," said a spokesman for Mr Rudd.

"Mr Rudd is meeting with think tanks and other officials in Europe including the UK and Russia on this and broader foreign policy interests."

However, once in Moscow Mr Rudd reportedly has decided to attempt meetings in Kiev and Moscow in relation to the regional tension in what is being seen as an unofficial and independent bid to help produce peace.

But it is now understood he will not make the trip.

There's speculation Kevin Rudd is lobbying for a job with the UN — possibly the top job. Source: Supplied

In Parliament today Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced new visa provisions for Ukraine nationals to stay in Australia "while their nation is under threat".

"Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Australia on a visa due to expire and who may be affected by the unrest in the Ukraine will be able to approach the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to make an application and receive an extension of their visa for a temporary period," Ms Bishop said in a statement.

She made no comment on Kevin Rudd as she outlined events to MPs.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon began his second five-year term in 2011 and is expected to stand down in the next few years. No secretary-general has served three terms.

Mr Rudd and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark are among possible contenders.