As of Monday afternoon, nearly 400 arrests had been reported by human rights activists in Russia. The EU foreign ministers are threatening sanctions and announcing that they will continue to support Russian civil society.

Dhe foreign ministers of the European Union expressed their “indignation” in Brussels on Monday over the death of Putin critic Alexei Navalnyj in Russian custody. A joint statement said “the ultimate responsibility lies with Putin and the Russian authorities.” They demanded that Russia must allow an “independent and transparent investigation” into the circumstances of the death. The EU stands ready to impose further costs on the Russian leadership for its actions, including sanctions. The member states want to put a 13th sanctions package into force on the second anniversary of the attack on Ukraine on February 24th. However, Hungary's approval for this is still missing.

On Monday afternoon, the widow Julija Navalnaya spoke to the EU foreign ministers. The foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell had invited her to the Council in Brussels. “Vladimir Putin and his regime will be held accountable for the death of Alexei Navalny,” the Spaniard said afterwards. As Navalnaya said, “Putin is not Russia and Russia is not Putin.” Russian civil society and independent media will continue to be supported.