The Canadian authorities have decided to close the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine as violence in the country escalates, the Globe and Mail online reported.

"The Embassy of Canada in Kyiv is closed until further notice for security reasons," the Canadian media said with reference to a recorded message on the embassy's phone lines.

According to the Globe and Mail, a voice message at the Canadian embassy and its Web site both indicate the closure, but don't say when it took place.

Adam Hodge, a spokesman for Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird, said "all Canadian personnel are safe and accounted for."