Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters criticized for calling for war in Ukraine was not without reason

Pink Floyd reunited last year, without Roger Waters, to release a pro-Ukraine single (File)

United Nation:

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was denounced by Ukraine on Wednesday after he told the United Nations Security Council that Russia’s invasion of the neighboring country was “not without cause.” The 79-year-old, who has previously caused controversy with his views on war, was invited by Moscow to speak before the 15-member Council.

“The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine is illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” ​​the British musician said via video.

But Waters later hinted that Kyiv was also responsible.

“Also, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not without cause. So I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms,” ​​he said, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Ukraine’s UN ambassador hit back, playing to the title of one of Pink Floyd’s most popular songs.

Sergiy Kyslytsya said: “It is sad for his former fans to see him accept the role of just a brick in the wall, the wall of Russian propaganda and misinformation.”

Kyiv’s rep even mentioned the giant inflatable pink pig that appeared in many of the progressive rock band’s performances.

He said he was surprised the bass player didn’t arrange for it to float in the Security Council room.

“What could it be this time, Mr. Waters? Pig with swastika and hammer and sickle?” Kyslytsya asked in surreal discussion.

The council held many debates on the war but failed to take any action due to Russia’s veto power.

“If this were a room with no teeth, I could open my big mouth instead of my voice without fear of being bitten off,” Waters said.

Russia requested the meeting to discuss weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills said of Waters: “While I certainly acknowledge his impressive abilities as a recording artist, it is his status to speak to us as a recording artist. how to be a brief expert on arms control or European security issues, is less obvious to me.”

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia welcomed the participation of what he called “one of the most prominent activists of the contemporary anti-war movement.”

Last September, Waters was declared unwelcome by the Polish city of Krakow after his concerts were canceled there because of his war views.

Waters wrote an open letter that month saying the West should stop supplying Kiev with weapons, accusing President Volodymyr Zelensky of allowing “extremist nationalism” in Ukraine and calling on him to “put an end to the war” this death”.

This week, Polly Samson, the songwriter of Pink Floyd, wife of band member David Gilmour, called Waters “anti-Semitic” and “an advocate for Putin” in a tweet.

Waters responded by posting a statement on Twitter saying he “completely rejects” Samson’s accusations.

Pink Floyd reunited last year without Waters, to release a single pro-Ukraine.

(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from an aggregated feed.)