OREANDA-NEWS Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the events surrounding the upcoming Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul an intrigue. His words are reported by RIA Novosti.

"Everyone, of course, is now hearing about Ukraine in connection with the intrigue that is currently brewing in Istanbul literally in these hours and minutes," the Foreign Minister said.

Earlier it became known that a Russian delegation is currently in Istanbul, as well as several American officials.

On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukraine to resume direct talks without preconditions on May 15 in Istanbul. The Russian delegation was headed by Vladimir Medinsky, assistant to the Russian leader.