Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) said Roger Waters was “another brick in the wall” of Russian propaganda.
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Sergiy Kyslytsya was attending the UN Security Council on the delivery of arms to Ukraine yesterday (8 February) when he made the remarks. Rogers, co-founder of Pink Floyd, was asked by Russia to speak on the subject following his remarks in recent months on the West and the United States in particular as “the main aggressor” in the war.
After Waters called the Russian invasion of Ukraine “illegal” and condemned it “in the strongest possible terms”, the singer and bassist said via video link that “it was not without provocation, so I too condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms.” “. He also called for an immediate ceasefire.
Kyslytsya was the last to speak at the meeting and took the opportunity to draw inspiration from Pink Floyd’s history, which includes floating pigs at their concerts, to poke fun at Waters.
The diplomat recalled that Pink Floyd was banned by the Soviet Union for protesting the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
“It is ironic, if not hypocritical, that Mr. Waters is now trying to whitewash another invasion,” Kyslytsya said. “How sad for his former fans to see him accept the role of yet another brick in the wall: the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.”
“Keep strumming the guitar, Mr. Waters,” the ambassador concluded. “It’s better for you than lecturing the Security Council on how to do its job. No flying pigs, please.”
Waters also recently criticized his former bandmates Pink Floyd for releasing the charity single “Hey Hey Rise Up” last year, which raised money for humanitarian organizations working to help those affected by war. “It encourages the continuation of the war,” Waters said. “Partner Now [a Pink Floyd] with something like that… proxy war makes me sad.”
Waters’ comments drew criticism from former teammate David Gilmour and his wife, writer Polly Samson. The latter shared a tweet in which she called Waters a “Putin apologist” and described him as a “liar, thief, hypocrite, tax evader, lip tuner, misogynist, sick with envy, megalomaniac”. Glimour then re-shared the tweet with the caption: “every word is demonstrably true.”
Waters himself released a statement in response to Samson’s comments, stating that he “completely refutes them” and that they are “inflammatory and grossly inaccurate”. The musician said he was “taking advice on his position” regarding Samson’s claims.
In other news, the musician revealed he was re-recording “The Dark Side of the Moon”, the 1973 album first released when he was a member of Pink Floyd.