Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union (codenamed Operation Barbarossa) began on June 22, 1941. It launched the largest military offensive in history and opened the brutal Eastern Front of World War II.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “This Russian war has no justifiable cause. Putin was driven by exactly the same motives as the aggressors who came before him. He shows the same contempt for human life. He is just as delusional about this absurd “empire” of his that nobody needs. This war must be brought to an end. It has been taking people’s lives for nearly five years now.

“This full-scale war has already lasted longer than World War I. Perhaps Russia wants to wait until it has lasted longer than World War II as well. But the world certainly does not want that, and it certainly has the power to prevent it.

“There must be pressure on Putin, pressure on Russia, so that all of this ends in a dignified peace and with real, guaranteed protection for human life. Ukraine has put forward every proposal needed for diplomacy.

“Through our collective pressure on the aggressor, we must bring Russia to a point where it has no option left but diplomacy and ending the war. Thank you to everyone helping us defend Ukraine. Thank you to everyone helping us protect human life.”