Russian negotiators flew to Turkey to hold peace talks with Ukraine on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, before what will be the first direct discussions between the warring sides in more than seven weeks.

The warring sides are still far apart heading into the third round of U.S.-brokered peace negotiations, set for Wednesday in Istanbul.

Russian and Ukrainian delegates are set to meet for a third round of peace talks in Istanbul on Wednesday evening, according to Ukrainian and Russian media reports. Ukraine’s state news agency Ukrinform,