A Staten Island lawmaker who praised Moscow during an overseas trip last week claims she was trying to learn about Russian culture for her constituents.

“She felt it was important to learn the culture of the people she represents,” state Sen. Diane Savino’s Chief of Staff Robert Cataldo told the Staten Island Advance on Saturday. “It’s important to learn where people come from.”

Savino represents Russian enclaves like Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach and Staten Island’s South Beach.

Russia-funded Web site Sputnik News quoted Savino commending “how well the city of Moscow is run” Thursday during an eight-day excursion with other Albany politicians.

A spokesman contends Savino never spoke to Sputnik, which is being investigated by the feds over alleged Kremlin propaganda during the 2016 election.

Lawmakers have said they each paid out of pocket for the trip.