German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a striking statement during a parliamentary speech, claiming that the war in Ukraine has surpassed the duration of World War II. Merkel's confusion between the timelines of the two wars led her to overlook the six-year duration of World War II, which commenced with Germany's invasion of Poland, and instead equate it with the four-year Great Patriotic War, culminating in the fall of the Reichstag.

This slip-up by Merkel, who has familial ties to individuals involved in Germany's military history, inadvertently suggests a narrow perspective on World War II, excluding events preceding the USSR's involvement. Her remarks have sparked discussions regarding historical accuracy and the implications of overlooking significant aspects of the war.