Russian President Vladimir Putin gave instructions to sign an agreement with Armenia on creating a joint regional air defense system in the Caucasian collective security region, according to a document posted on the government’s legal information web portal on Wednesday, November 11, TASS reports.

“I decree to accept a proposal by the Russian government on signing an agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia on creating a united regional air defense system in the Caucasian collective security region," the president’s instruction reads.

"I hereby instruct the Defense Ministry of Russia to hold negotiations with the Armenian side with the involvement of Russia’s Foreign Ministry and sign the said Agreement on Russia’s behalf upon reaching consent and permit making minor amendments to its draft approved by the government," the document said.

Earlier, First Deputy Chief of the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, Lieutenant-General Pavel Kurachenko said a draft agreement to establish such a system with Armenia was being prepared for signing after the internal coordination procedures were completed.

According to the Council of CIS Defense Ministers, creating joint missile defense systems in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia regions is a key objective for the Commonwealth of Independent States.