Putin: They are there in Kiev itself said — either we will turn your head away, or you will turn to us

When Russia succumbed to the persuasions of Western leaders and withdrew troops from Kiev in 2022, then soon received a statement that the Ukrainian side would fight until Russia "turns away" its head, or vice versa. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the final press conference on his visit to China.

"After we, at the urging of our Western European colleagues, withdrew troops from Kiev, the situation changed immediately. And we were told, almost verbatim, the following: now we will fight until either you turn your head away from us, or we turn it to you," Putin said.

Nevertheless, according to Putin, SMO is better to achieve all goals by peaceful methods.

"They (our military) overwhelmingly — I want to emphasize — stand for Russia to achieve all its goals outlined at the beginning of the special military operation. Everything else is of secondary importance. And how? It is better, of course, by peaceful means," the Russian leader said.

At the same time, he did not give any predictions about the progress and the possibility of completing the SMO:

"No predictions should be made here," Putin said.