EU ministers agree human rights sanctions on Russian officials February 23, 2021 File photo of Alexei Navalny. BRUSSELS — Foreign ministers from EU countries have agreed to place further sanctions against Russian officials over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. If approved by the European Council, it will be the first time the EU has used a new mechanism to facilitate punitive measures against human rights abuses. The agreement was reached on Monday at a meeting in Brussels, where it was said four Russian officials are being targeted. According to diplomatic sources, they will be hit with asset freezes and entry bans to the bloc, which will likely take effect once European leaders meet next month.