Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 17 to address Armenia’s recent steps toward European Union integration, a move that has elicited strong warnings from Moscow.

The Kremlin’s statement noted that Pashinyan explained Armenia’s position regarding its engagement with the EU. “The Russian leader gave corresponding comments and assessments,” the statement read, without disclosing the specifics of Putin’s response.

The leaders also discussed “further deepening of integration cooperation” between Russia and Armenia. The Kremlin emphasized the “significant practical benefits” that Armenia derives from its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), particularly for its economy.

The Armenian government’s press office confirmed the conversation touched on EEU-related initiatives and bilateral Russian-Armenian relations but made no mention of Armenia’s January 9 decision to approve a bill launching the process of its potential EU accession.