KINGSTON'S MP Ed Davey has called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "the darkest day for our continent since 1945" and is urging the West to stand with the invaded country.

Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrat party, condemned the attack by Russia yesterday (24 February) on the Eastern European country.

137 people have been killed and over 300 wounded in the conflict so far, according to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a Twitter post, Davey said: "This is the darkest day for our continent since 1945. The blood of every innocent Ukrainian who perishes in this illegal invasion is on Putin's hands.

"We must stand with Ukraine. It is time to let rip on the most severe of punitive sanctions."

Speaking in Parliament the same day, Davey urged the West not to be "complacent" over Russian aggression, stating that "Putin must face the most punitive of sanctions.

"The world must isolate Russia like the rogue state it is, including the state-backed oil giant Rosneft, 20 per cent owned by BP."

Labour leader Keir Starmer also slammed the "unprovoked and unjustifiable" attack and called for sanctions on Russia, stating "the influence of Russian money must be extricated from the U.K."

He added: "In the face of Russian aggression, our political parties here in the UK must be united."

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.

"President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

"The UK and our allies will respond decisively."

Since the invasion, the UK has imposed economic sanctions on Russia including freezing the assets of Russian banks and excluding them from the UK financial system.

Export licences for items which can be used for military purposes will be suspended and Russian airline Aeroflot banned from the UK.

British troops will not be sent in to support Ukraine due to fears this could trigger a European war, Defence Minister Ben Wallace confirmed today,

The Home Office has also changed Visa rules for Ukrainian nationals allowing them to stay in Britain for longer or switch to a different form of immigration.

Leading charities including Save the Children and Amnesty are now urging Britain to welcome refugees from Ukraine as according to the UN 5 million people could be displaced by the conflict.