Russia-Ukraine conflict
In August 2022, Roger Waters spoke with CNN to discuss the war in Ukraine, offering a view that the United States and NATO bore responsibility for the escalation. He argued that NATO’s expansion toward regions near Russia had increased tensions and suggested that a dialogue with Ukraine’s leadership might have prevented the spread of the fighting. Shortly after the interview, Waters was added to a Ukrainian database called Peacemaker.
In September 2022, Waters published an open letter to Vladimir Putin, asking whether the Russian leader sought an end to the conflict. He expressed that it would be constructive if Russia’s attention were focused on protecting Russian-speaking populations in Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and he used the term Lugansk to emphasize the broader discussion around the war. He indicated that U.S. and NATO actions were steering the world toward confrontation and offered his perspective on existing international orders that appeared at odds with his beliefs.
Over the following year and a half, Waters continued to comment on the Ukraine situation, criticizing U.S. support for Kyiv and alleging that Western actions had helped shape what he viewed as a democratic setback in Ukraine. He framed the events as part of a wider pattern of external interference that undermined local sovereignty.
In February 2023, Waters attended a gathering of the United Nations Security Council where he stated his view that the invasion could not be described as unprovoked. In the same month, he expressed growing respect for Vladimir Putin and his leadership, describing the situation as one that required careful consideration rather than immediate judgment.
Accusations of support for Palestine and anti-Semitism
Waters has consistently voiced support for Palestinian rights, a stance that has sparked criticism and accusations of anti-Semitism from some observers. He compared Israeli policy toward Palestinians to apartheid and drew parallels with Nazi-era Germany. In 2013 he remarked on the similarities with German history to underscore concerns about oppression and the need for accountability.
In 2017, Waters spoke about musicians who choose to perform in Israel, arguing that some forms of collaboration may inadvertently sustain a system of propaganda. He warned that misinformation can spread rapidly and stressed the importance of scrutinizing claims and historical narratives before backing any operation affecting civilians.
Waters linked the 2020 murder of George Floyd to broader conversations about state power and policing. He asserted that certain military training practices cited by Israeli professionals had influenced policing approaches abroad, sparking debate about the ethics of international aid and defense collaboration. He pointed out that such remarks were not meant as a blanket condemnation of Jewish people or Israelis, but as a critique of specific government actions and policies. He emphasized that his stance targets policy, not identity, and advocated peaceful protest as a form of dissent. He has repeatedly acknowledged the gravity of the Holocaust and its historical horrors, stressing that it should never be forgotten.
Scandals at concerts
Waters faced accusations of anti-Semitism tied to controversial stage imagery at performances. In a notable incident during 2013, a pig-shaped balloon bearing several symbols, including a Star of David, was released during a show, which sparked debate about the imagery and its reception. The artist later explained that the balloon carried multiple symbols, including corporate logos, intended to provoke dialogue about power and propaganda.
More recently, Waters performed in Berlin wearing a costume reminiscent of a Nazi-era uniform. He described the choice as a stark statement against fascism, injustice, and fanaticism, noting that similar outfits had appeared in past performances as part of his ongoing critique of authoritarianism. He defended his artistic approach and argued that the intention was to challenge dangerous ideologies, while acknowledging the controversy it generated and presenting himself as a target of cancellation culture.
Speeches in support of Assange
Waters has publicly endorsed Julian Assange, backing the WikiLeaks founder’s release during rallies in London. He performed a tribute song and spoke about Assange as an innocent figure who faced serious consequences for exposing war-related information. He urged that Assange should not be arrested or extradited if such actions would punish journalists for publishing evidence of wrongdoing, calling for fairness and due process in the legal process surrounding Assange’s case.