“I am in favour of giving the order to prepare […] sanctions, listings of individual people,” he said on the way into key talks in Brussels with his EU counterparts.

“At the same time, we must look for ways to stay in dialogue with Moscow. We need Russia to resolve many international conflicts,” Maas added.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said she expected the bloc to use a new human rights sanctions regime.

“It is clear that Russia is on a confrontational course with the European Union,” EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said.

There is a “blunt refusal” on Moscow’s part to engage or respect the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling that ordered Navalny be released, Borell added.