EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to trigger new restrictive measures on Russia following the sentencing of dissident Alexei Navalny.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that if agreement in principle is struck, as diplomatic sources say is likely, the legal framework and intended targets could be worked out in the coming weeks.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told Germany's Welt newspaper he believes a clear majority will back sanctions. Unanimity is normally required.

These could be asset freezes or travel bans. It is thought the bloc could use its new instrument to punish human rights violations for the first time.

In comments to Welt, Russia's EU ambassador Vladimir Chizhov warned that Moscow would be prepared to respond should the EU choose to move on new sanctions.