Elsewhere in Brussels, at the same time, Members of the European Parliament were even tougher in their criticism - albeit only in a non-binding resolution.
Calls on the EU countries to immediately suspend all work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and impose new sanctions on people close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including big business leaders and "propagandists";
Large majority
"The repression of dissent in Russia has been going on for too long," said Swedish Member Alice Bah Kuhnke (MP) in a statement.
The resolution was adopted by a large majority, 580 votes to 50, but is in practice only an expression of will, as it is the EU Council of Ministers that decides on sanctions.
However, several countries are pushing for new measures against Russia ahead of the member states 'foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday.
Anti-corruption activist and opposition politician Navalny was arrested on Sunday after returning to Moscow for the first time since being subjected to a poisoning attempt in August.