Pink Floyd reunited last year, without Roger Waters, to release a single in support of Ukraine (File)
United Nations:
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was condemned by Ukraine on Wednesday after he told the UN Security Council that Russia’s invasion of its neighbor was “not unprovoked”. The 79-year-old, who has previously sparked controversy over his stance on the war, was invited by Moscow to address the 15-member council.
“The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest terms,” the British musician said via video.
But Waters then implied that Kyiv was also to blame.
Calling for an immediate ceasefire, he said, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not without reason. That’s why I also condemn the instigators in the strongest terms.”
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations hit back at the title of one of Pink Floyd’s most famous songs.
“How sad for his former fans to see him accept the role of just a brick in the wall, the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda,” said Sergi Kislitsya.
The representative from Kyiv also made reference to the giant inflatable pink pig that was featured at the shows of several progressive rock bands.
He said he was surprised that the bassist had not arranged for it to be floated to the Security Council chamber.
“What could it have been this time Mr. Waters? Pigs with swastikas and hammer and sickle?” Kyslytsya asked during the real discussion.
The Council has held several debates on the war but failed to take any action due to Russia’s veto.
Waters said, “If it’s a toothless chamber, I can open my big mouth towards the voices without fear of having my head chopped off.”
Russia requested the meeting to discuss weapons supplied to Ukraine by the West.
US Deputy Ambassador Richard Mills said of Waters: “While I certainly acknowledge her impressive credentials as a recording artist, her willingness to speak to us as an expert briefer on arms control or European security issues The merit is less clear to me.”
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia welcomed the participation of a man he called “one of the most prominent activists of the contemporary anti-war movement”.
Last September, Waters was declared persona non grata by the Polish city of Krakow after her concerts were scrapped there because of her anti-war stance.
Waters wrote an open letter that month saying the West should stop providing arms to Kyiv, accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of allowing “hyper-nationalism” in Ukraine and called on him to “end this deadly war”. urged to do.
This week, Pink Floyd songwriter Polly Samson, wife of band member David Gilmour, called Waters an “anti-Semitic” and a “Putin supporter” in a tweet.
Waters responded by posting a statement on Twitter saying that he “absolutely refutes” Samson’s allegation.
Pink Floyd reunited last year without Waters to release a single in support of Ukraine.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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