Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started two years ago, on February 24th, 2022. Yet the war started in 2014 when Russia temporarily occupied the Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and invaded Ukraine’s eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

It is important to remember that Putin's February 2022 attack was intended as a blitzkrieg, with the goal of destroying the Ukrainian state within days or weeks. Two years later, Ukraine is still standing and fighting back, having liberated more than half of the newly occupied territories, lifting Russia's naval blockade by sinking nearly a third of Russia's Black Sea fleet, and forming a global coalition to support Ukraine.

Russia currently has no intention of ceasing armed aggression, withdrawing its occupation troops from Ukraine, or pursuing diplomatic solutions. Putin continues to send thousands of men into battle, hoping to achieve at least some minor success ahead of his sham "elections" in March. Russia also continues to launch missile and drone strikes on peaceful Ukrainian cities, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure.

Supporting Ukraine now and enabling Ukraine’s victory over Russia’s armed aggression is the best way to prevent a larger war in Europe and a chain reaction of wars around the globe.

One lesson that should have been learned over the past two years is that only unity and resolve are effective in resisting the aggressor. Appeasement has never worked, and it never will. Believe in Ukraine, support Ukraine!

The outcome of Russian aggression against Ukraine will define the line between good and evil, allowed and forbidden, in the 21st century. Ukraine can win the war and prevent the death of the rule-based world, as long as our partners remain committed to the cause of defending freedom from tyranny. 

The free world and Ukraine will either stand together or fall together.

Gallery of the Photo exposition "The resilience and invincibility of the people of Ukraine"