The presence of Russian warships in international waters off Australia has more to do with the G20 meeting in Brisbane than with any comments made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a defence expert says.

Chief of the Defence force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin has confirmed Australia is monitoring four Russian naval ships in international waters in the Coral Sea.

It comes after a highly anticipated exchange between Mr Abbott and Russian President Vladimir Putin at this week’s APEC summit in Beijing ahead of the G20.

• Defence downplays Russian fleet
• Russian military equipment in Ukraine: NATO

Director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra, Peter Leahy, says while Russia is making a “more than a subtle demonstration of power”, it isn’t doing anything wrong and is probably just asserting its position as a maritime power with global interests in the area.

“I rather think it’s pre-planned and it’s more associated with the meeting in Brisbane rather than comments made by the prime minister,” he told ABC radio.

“I would be more concerned about what’s happening over in the Ukraine than what’s happening with three or four – including one tugboat – Russian vessels in our area.”

Air Chief Marshal Binskin said Russia had publicised its intent to deploy a task force to the South Pacific a while ago, and an ocean-going tug and an oiler are part of that group.

“So it’s just one part of their operations. They’re in international waters. They’re allowed to do that. And we’ll continue to surveil them,” he said.

The Russian embassy has been approached for comment.