Russia is to expel certain diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden accused of taking part in demonstrations calling for the release of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. 

The news of the expulsions came on the same day as the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell visited Moscow.

This rare trip by an EU high representative to Moscow was the first in more than three years. There had been some suspicion from EU member states ahead of the trip about its objectives, but Borrell insisted keeping dialogue open with Moscow was the right approach. 

Being informed of the expulsion of European diplomats from Russia during his meeting with Russian foreign affairs minister Sergei Lavrov is not how Borrell hoped things would play out. 

The unspecified number of diplomats were expelled for their reported involvement in demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

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In a statement, the EU's top envoy said he "strongly condemned" the decision and "rejected the allegations that they conducted activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats. The decision should be reconsidered."

Talks between the two officials appear to have been tense. The EU diplomat appealed for the immediate release of Navalny, warning the case had brought EU-Russia ties to a "new low." 

The situation between the two powers had, he said, been bad for some time. "Over the last years our relationship has been marked by fundamental differences and a lack of trust." 

The EU's Navalny appeal fell on deaf ears, with Russia's Lavrov describing the EU as an "unreliable partner."

Separately, the Kremlin dismissed other calls in the West for Navalny's release. 

"Any hints of an ultimatum are absolutely unacceptable to us, we have already said we won't listen to such patronizing statements," spokesman Dmitriy Peskov said.

There appear to be no new proposals for EU sanctions on Russia, but possible options will be discussed at a meeting of the European Council due to take place in March.

There was, however, agreement to cooperate where possible. Borrell congratulated Russia on its Sputnik V vaccine and expressed his hope that the EU's health regulator would soon be able to certify its efficacy.

He said this would be "good news," given the ongoing shortages of vaccines in Europe amid delivery delays from pharmaceutical firms.

Eyebrows were initially raised in Europe when Russia became the first country to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine for use last August. But a recent study in the respected medical journal The Lancet showed the vaccine appears safe for use.

The diplomats, who have not been named, are accused of having participated in "illegal gatherings" on January 23 in the Russian cities of St Petersburg and Moscow, the country's foreign ministry said.

Navalny returned to Russia last month after spending months in Germany while recovering from nerve agent poisoning, only to be detained on his arrival for failing to report to Russian law officials and therefore violating a 2014 suspended sentence for embezzlement.

Read more: Putin critic Alexei Navalny jailed