Russia moved closer on Wednesday to setting up a new joint air defense system with Armenia, with President Vladimir Putin formally authorizing his government to negotiate a corresponding Russian-Armenian agreement.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s cabinet confirmed late last month plans for the creation of the Russian-Armenian “united regional system of air defense in the Caucasus region of collective security.” In a statement cited by Russian news agencies, the Kremlin said that Putin approved those plans and instructed the Russian defense and foreign ministries to hold negotiations with the Armenian side.