PM warns Russia against 'catastrophic invasion' as Government says it will target 'Putin's oligarchs'

Boris Johnson has warned Russia against a "catastrophic invasion" of Ukraine – as the government said widened sanctions would see it pursue "Putin’s oligarchs".

The prime minister said on Sunday that the "picture is increasingly concerning" as he urged Russia to engage in talks and "avoid a reckless and catastrophic invasion".

It comes after Johnson offered to double the number of troops to strengthen Europe’s borders, as well as send defensive weapons.

And foreign secretary Liz Truss doubled down by saying Downing Street will broaden its scope to target Russian oligarchs in the UK.

She told Sky News that new legislation, which is expected to be announced in the House of Commons on Monday, will widen current sanctions so "there will be nowhere to hide for Putin’s oligarchs".

Truss said the "number one thing that will stop Vladimir Putin taking action is if he understands the [financial] costs of that action".

"Currently, the economic sanctions are fairly narrowly drawn, so we could only target companies with a direct involvement in destabilising Ukraine.

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"What we are looking to do is widen that so any company of interest to the Kremlin and the regime in Russia would be able to be targeted, so there will be nowhere to hide for Putin's oligarchs, for Russian companies involved in propping up the Russian state."

Truss added "nothing is off the table" amid suggestions the sanctions could include the seizure of oligarchs' property in London.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg told the BBC that potential sanctions on Russia would have an effect on the country as it would have to pay a "higher price".

However, he added he was concerned about retaliations from Russia if there were sanctions, such as cutting off gas supplies to Europe.