Another example of this strategy was Soviet Russia's withdrawal from World War I while the fighting in Europe between Germany and the remaining Allies continued. In his report to the Third All-Russian Congress of Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants Deputies' Soviets in 1918, Vladimir Lenin argued that by withdrawing from the conflict, "we rid ourselves ... of both imperialistic groups fighting each other. We can take advantage of their strife ... and use that period when our hands are free to develop and strengthen the Socialist Revolution."[5]