Several countries share the view that Tuesday's verdict against opposition politician and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny was politically motivated.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says in a written statement that the US is deeply concerned about the verdict.
Allied states will now be consulted to hold Russia accountable for "failing to uphold the rights of its citizens," the statement said.
Germany "Bitter blow to the judiciary"
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas describes the verdict as a bitter blow to the Russian judiciary.
"Today's verdict against Alexei Navalny is a bitter blow to fundamental freedoms and to the judiciary in Russia," he wrote on Twitter, adding: "Alexei Navalny must be released immediately."
French President Emmanuel Macron also demands his release and calls today's verdict "unacceptable".
United Kingdom: 'Perverse verdict'
Even tougher criticism comes from British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab:
"Britain calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny and all the protesters and journalists detained in the last two weeks," Raab said.
"Today's perverse verdict, which is aimed at the victim of a poisoning rather than those behind it, shows that Russia is failing to meet the most basic commitments one would expect from a member of the international community," he told Reuters.
Lithuania: Sanctions required
Tough criticism also comes from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who called for new sanctions against Russia.
"The dialogue between Russia and the EU is now only possible through the language of sanctions," he said, adding:
"Unless the outside world rushes, Lithuania will consider imposing sanctions on its own."