Boris Johnson has pledged to take refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine as he warned there will be 'grim days ahead' for the country.
Speaking on Saturday night after a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Johnson said that "much tougher" economic sanctions against Russia were needed.
It comes as thousands of Ukrainian's make for the country's border, as Russian forces close in on the capital city of Kyiv.
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At RAF Brize Norton, the UK Prime Minister commended the efforts of Ukrainian citizens who have stayed behind to fight for their country.
"Let’s be in no doubt, things are not going all the way of President Putin, very far from it," Mr Johnson said, speaking to journalists.
"The Ukrainians are fighting heroically, and in some places with great success, as many of us thought they would because they’re a great country and a very brave country.
"But there are some terrible atrocities being committed and there will be some very grim days ahead for Ukraine.
"We’ve got to do everything we can to change the heavy odds that Ukraine faces and to help them, and so that’s why we’re sending humanitarian supplies, we’re sending financial supplies and military supplies as well.
"The UK was the first European country to send military aid to Ukraine. Last night, many other countries joined in sending, in pledging to send military assistance, you’re starting to see that grow."
Mr Johnson said he also wanted to rebuff what he called "fake news" circulating online about the UK not taking refugees.
Asked why the UK is not taking in refugees like some other countries, he told reporters: "Of course we’re going to take refugees.
"This country’s had a historic and proud role in taking refugees from all conflicts. And if you think what we did in Afghanistan, for instance, the UK was way out in front.
"I’m aware that there’s some fake news on the internet about that and I really want to knock that on the head.
"The UK is way out in front in our willingness to help with refugees.
"We’ve sent 1,000 troops to the theatre, to be ready to help with the influx and of course we will help people fleeing in fear of their lives."
On Saturday night, the UK agreed with the EU and US to cut some Russian banks out of the Swift banking system.
A statement issued by the White House said: "We, the leaders of the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States condemn Putin’s war of choice and attacks on the sovereign nation and people of Ukraine.
"We stand with the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people in their heroic efforts to resist Russia’s invasion.
"Russia’s war represents an assault on fundamental international rules and norms that have prevailed since the Second World War, which we are committed to defending.
"We will hold Russia to account and collectively ensure that this war is a strategic failure for Putin."
Elsewhere, YouTube announced it is taking action against a number of channels in response to Russia’s assault on Ukraine, including restricting access to Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT.
And Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines suspended its partnership with Russian national airline Aeroflot.
The German government said it will send weapons and other supplies directly to Ukraine, as well as supporting some restrictions of the Swift global banking system for Russia.
Germany’s chancellery announced it will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine "as quickly as possible."
The EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has also proposed cutting several targeted Russian banks from the Swift financial transaction system.
Protests showing support for Ukraine were held across the country and the world today.
In Manchester, hundreds of people gathered at Piccadilly Gardens to send a united message of love, support, and solidarity to Ukraine.
