Boris Johnson defends UK sanctions measures against Russia

Boris Johnson has defended his sanctions against Russia, saying the UK is "out in front" when it comes to global actions against Vladimir Putin.

He promised a "further package of military support" for Ukraine, with the assets of five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires already frozen.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the PM to bring in laws to stop oligarchs buying UK firms and property.

But Mr Johnson said no government could "conceivably be doing more".

Russian President Mr Putin ordered troops into the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine on Monday, after recognising them as independent.

It is not clear if any new Russian troops have yet been sent into the two regions, which are run by Moscow-backed separatists.

Earlier, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Mr Putin had gone "full tonto" in escalating the Ukraine crisis, adding that he had "no friends, no alliances" internationally.

In comments made to serving military personnel, the former Scots Guards officer added that his regiment had "kicked the backside" of Russia's Tsar Nicolas I in the Crimean war in the mid-19th Century, arguing that "we can always do it again".

Amid a largely sombre atmosphere at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said: "We all want to deter aggression in Europe.

"We are not dealing with breakaway republics. Putin is not a peacekeeper. A sovereign nation has been invaded.

"The prime minister promised that in the event of an invasion he would unleash a full package of sanctions. If not now, then when?"

Mr Johnson replied: "I don't think people quite realise the UK is out in front. We have sanctioned 275 individuals already."

He added: "There is more to come and we will be stopping Russia from raising sovereign debt, stopping companies from raising money and stopping Russian companies... even clearing in sterling and dollars on international markets."

Mr Johnson also confirmed that the media watchdog Ofcom was reviewing Russia Today's licence to broadcast in the UK.

And he said an Economic Crime Bill will be brought forward in the next parliamentary session to "peel back the facade" of beneficial ownership by Russians and others of UK property and companies.

But Sir Keir said this should be brought forward to the current session, adding that Labour would support such a move.

Downing Street would not provide further details on the equipment being provided to Ukraine, for "operational security reasons".