Karasin spoke about Kiev's reaction to the proposal for talks in Istanbul.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky prefers not to search for any acceptable solutions, but an impudent ultimatum, judging by the first responses to Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for talks in Turkey, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin told Izvestia.

"We suggest that the Kiev authorities resume negotiations"

Vladimir Putin announced Russia's readiness to start a direct dialogue with Ukraine on May 15.

"If you look at what was stated in Kyiv, this is not the preparation of calm business conversations, it is an ultimatum. I think that's the way to treat it. We'll see if there's still time, but it's alarming," the diplomat said.

There are signals coming from the West about tougher sanctions, for example, the introduction of the 17th package, but they understand that no isolation of the Russian Federation has worked, Karasin noted.

Russia has offered Ukraine to hold direct talks in Istanbul on May 15 without any preconditions. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 11 in his statement to the press.