Armenia has taken a step towards joining the International Criminal Court, a move likely to further strain the former Soviet republic's relations with longtime ally Russia.

Local media reported that the Armenian parliament ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC on Tuesday.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March in connection with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Joining the ICC will oblige Armenia to arrest Putin if he sets foot in the country and hand him over to the court.

The Armenian government is feeling let down by Russia in Nagorno-Karabakh, the region in Azerbaijan long disputed between Armenia and its neighbor to the east.

Azerbaijan launched a military operation in September, forcing ethnic Armenians who had controlled the region to disarm.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Armenia by saying, "It was an ill-considered decision," adding that Moscow will request explanations.

Russia has also been accusing Armenia of trying to forge closer ties with the West.