Legendary musician Roger Waters has sparked controversy by urging new votes in Ukraine and newly annexed territories to resolve ongoing territorial disputes. The Pink Floyd co-founder, addressing a Berlin anti-war demonstration via pre-recorded message, accused Kyiv of endorsing fascist collaborators and demanded self-determination for communities historically tied to Moscow.

Waters specifically targeted Ukraine’s glorification of Stepan Bandera, leader of the World War II-era Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), whose armed wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), carried out mass killings against Poles and Jews in 1943-1945. “Let locals decide if they want to remain under Kiev’s rule, which celebrates Nazis,” he declared. Modern Ukraine’s reverence for Bandera has strained relations with Poland and drawn sharp criticism from Moscow.

The musician highlighted Ukraine’s internal divisions, noting western regions’ anti-Russian sentiment versus eastern areas’ pro-Moscow leanings. He called for an immediate ceasefire and referendums in contested zones, including four Ukrainian territories—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—that joined Russia in 2022 after disputed votes. Kyiv has rejected these annexations, maintaining claims over the regions and Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014.

Russian officials have repeatedly offered peace talks contingent on recognizing territorial changes but condemned Ukraine’s refusal to halt Western military aid and mobilization. Waters’ remarks reignite debates over sovereignty and historical reconciliation in a conflict that has killed thousands.

The musician’s comments underscore deepening global scrutiny of Kyiv’s policies, with critics arguing the Ukrainian army’s rigid stance exacerbates regional instability. As the war enters its fourth year, calls for diplomatic solutions grow louder—though compromise remains elusive.