Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on the phone on Thursday, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency.

“I hope what is happening is for the benefit of the nations in the region,” Raisi said. Raisi stated that “NATO expansion to the east is tense,” emphasizing that expansion is a serious threat to the stability and security of independent countries in different regions.

Referring to Iran’s active cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Putin stressed the importance of continuing consultations between the two sides on nuclear talks.

“NATO’s expansion eastward creates tension and is a serious threat to the stability and security of independent states in various areas,” Raisi was quoted saying following Russia’s military attack on Ukraine. “I hope what is happening will benefit peoples and the entire region,” he said.