Boris Johnson’s Russia sanctions slammed by MPs as not tough enough

Boris Johnson’s sanctions against Russia have been slammed as not tough enough by MPs.

The UK is placing penalties on five Russian banks and three "very high net worth" individuals linked to Vladmir Putin after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said UK sanctions against Russia should go “much further, much faster”.

The Foreign Affairs Committee chairman made the comments after the prime minister announced the “first barrage” of punitive measures.

Mr Tugendhat said: “Clout, don’t dribble. We need decisive clear action to show Putin we’re serious. With the Kremlin starting a war, dissuasion requires clarity.

“We shouldn’t be waiting for Russia to attack others to clean up corruption in our country. Sanctions need to be clear and strong.”

Speaking to the BBC, he added: “I’d like to see this go much further, much faster. You allow people to think that you’re not serious if you don’t respond seriously quickly, and it can lead to worse confusion in the future.”

Germany pulled the plug on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline earlier in the day and many British MPs expressed disappointment that Mr Johnson’s promised “first barrage” was not more robust.

Sanctions have been placed on Russian banks - Rossiya Bank, IS bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank and Black Sea bank.

The prime minister also singled out oligarchs Igor and Boris Rotenberg and Gennady Timchenko for penalties.

The three billionaire businessmen have been under sanctions in the US for years.

In the Commons, Conservative MP John Baron told Mr Johnson: "I hope he takes away from this exchange today the strong cross-party support for tougher sanctions now, because that is what is needed."

He also asked the Prime Minister to consider a "substantial and sustained increase" in defence spending to ensure peace and stability.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the package was the “first wave” of economic restrictions placed on Russian businesses and citizens.

“The UK is imposing an initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s violation of international law and disregard of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” he said.

“This is the first wave and we will not hesitate to inflict further economic pain alongside our allies if this aggression continues.”

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the measures set out in the House of Commons would have a "real impact" on the Russian economy.

"This only beginning. This is only the first tranche of sanctions we could introduce," the spokesman said.

"The actions we have take together with our Nato allies do create a much more hostile atmosphere for individuals and for banks and will have a real impact on the economic situation in Russia.

"We believe that these are the right measures to introduce now in the light of the actions taken overnight by President (Vladimir) Putin."