Some Ukrainian soldiers say Russians must withdraw before any peace talks

Yurii, 33-years-old, a wounded Ukrainian service member of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Transcarpathian Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, sits at a medical stabilisation point, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Alina Smutko

ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine (Reuters) - After fending off attacks during a three-day weekend ceasefire declared by Russia, some Ukrainian soldiers fighting near the front line had advice for their president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy: don't talk to Moscow until Russian troops withdraw.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine just over an hour after his ceasefire ended, something Zelenskiy said was possible, but only after Moscow agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday.