Roger Waters, the legendary co-founder of Pink Floyd, delivered a powerful anti-war speech to the United Nations Security Council on Monday, leaving diplomats in New York stunned.
The 81-year-old rockstar, renowned for his activism, addressed the UNSC via Zoom, speaking out on the ongoing Ukraine crisis just days before the anniversary of the conflict.
This marked Waters’ second address to the UN, following his fiery speech in February 2023, where he continued to use his platform to draw attention to various human rights issues.
As an outspoken critic of war, particularly the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and the treatment of Julian Assange, Waters has found himself at the center of controversy.
His latest speech, however, sparked backlash, notably because he wore a pin of the Palestinian flag throughout his address.
Waters Uses Fame to Draw Attention to Global Issues
For over two decades, Roger Waters has used his fame as a platform for activism, addressing issues of human rights, anti-war movements, and political corruption.
His stance on Palestine and other global issues has made him a polarizing figure, often accused of antisemitism due to his support for Palestinian rights.
In his recent UN speech, Waters didn’t hold back, voicing his passionate opposition to war while reflecting on personal experiences and historical events.
Despite the criticism, Waters remains steadfast in his beliefs.
His speech at the UN, delivered via Zoom, was filled with poignant reflections on history, calling out the political maneuvers that have led to the current state of global conflict.
A Deep Reflection on the War and Its Roots
In a captivating 12-minute speech, Waters took the UNSC members through a brief history of the Ukraine conflict, shedding light on the events that led to the war and how the world arrived at this critical point.
For those unfamiliar with the full scope of the conflict, Waters’ address served as a condensed history lesson, filled with facts and historical context.
He began by addressing skeptics who might dismiss him simply as “some old musician” and explained that his concerns go beyond music.
“I may be ‘just a musician,’ but I know this—hundreds of thousands of dead soldiers and their families haunt me,” he said, referencing the devastating toll of the conflict.
Waters reflected on his own personal loss, recalling how his father was killed in WWII, and how he has carried that memory for 81 years.
The Role of Foreign Influence and Regime Change
Waters moved on to discuss the events that led to the Maidan revolution in Ukraine, which began in November 2013.
He outlined the violent clashes that erupted in Kyiv and the political upheaval that followed, ultimately toppling the pro-Russian government of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Waters also pointed out the role of outside influence in these events, referencing the now-infamous leaked phone call between US officials Victoria Nuland and Geoffrey Pyatt, in which they discussed selecting a new Ukrainian president.
“This is one of the problems with regime change,” Waters remarked. “Dead bodies everywhere. They’re all somebody’s loved ones.”
The Unspoken Issue: Ukraine’s Neo-Nazi Problem
Another dark aspect of the Ukraine conflict that Waters highlighted was the rise of neo-Nazi factions within the country.
He pointed to the glorification of Stepan Bandera, a controversial figure who collaborated with Nazi forces during WWII.
Waters criticized the Western media for ignoring or downplaying the influence of these right-wing elements in Ukraine’s government.
“If you don’t know who Stepan Bandera is, you shouldn’t be here,” Waters quipped, referencing the hero-worship of a man responsible for atrocities during the war.
Waters made it clear that he was not going to shy away from exposing uncomfortable truths.
Crimea’s Status: Waters Challenges the “Annexation” Narrative
Waters also pushed back against the mainstream media’s portrayal of Russia’s actions in Crimea.
He argued that Crimea did not “annex” itself to Russia but instead chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia following the 2014 coup.
Waters emphasized that a referendum showed overwhelming support among Crimeans to become part of Russia, with 95% of voters in favor.
Zelensky’s Rise and Broken Promises
Waters didn’t hold back when discussing Ukraine’s current president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
He noted that Zelensky, who ran on a platform promising to implement the Minsk II agreements, failed to follow through on those promises.
Waters criticized the lack of diplomatic engagement and the dismissal of Russia’s security concerns, which ultimately led to the escalation of the conflict.
“He didn’t implement Minsk II. And that’s when things got worse,” Waters said, lamenting the missed opportunities for peaceful resolution.
The War Could Have Been Avoided: A Call for Diplomacy
Reflecting on the escalation of the war in 2022, Waters expressed disbelief that the conflict could not have been avoided.
“War? Are you serious? Why wasn’t this avoided?” he asked, emphasizing that diplomacy should always be the first option.
“War is only ever an absolute last resort,” he stated, arguing that the world had come to accept war as a normal way of life.
He also quoted General Smedley Butler’s book “War is a Racket,” suggesting that the driving force behind many wars is the profit they generate for the wealthy and powerful.
“Who profits from the racket? Rich people do. Oligarchs,” he declared.
The Role of Leaders and the Possibility of Peace
Despite the grim realities of war, Waters offered a glimmer of hope.
He recalled how peace negotiations between Zelensky and Putin had begun to show promise in early 2022, only for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to sabotage the talks, pushing for the continuation of the conflict.
Waters shared his frustration over this missed opportunity for peace.
He concluded his speech with a plea for leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if our leaders today spoke to one another on the telephone like civilized human beings and common sense prevailed?” Waters said, expressing hope that the war could eventually come to an end through diplomatic means.
The War Isn’t Over Yet, But There’s Hope for Change
As Waters wrapped up his speech, he acknowledged the grim reality that the war in Ukraine has already taken a heavy toll on countless lives.
Yet, he remained hopeful that conversations between leaders, like those between Trump and Putin, could pave the way for future peace efforts.
“Maybe there is a glimmer of light at the end of this dark tunnel of war,” Waters said, though he noted that it had come far too late for many.