Fact Check: Roger Waters defended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Fact Check: Roger Waters Defended Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

What We Know

Roger Waters, co-founder of the band Pink Floyd, recently addressed the United Nations Security Council at Russia's invitation. During his speech, he condemned the invasion of Ukraine as "illegal," stating, "I condemn it in the strongest possible terms" (BBC). However, he also claimed that the invasion was "not unprovoked," attributing responsibility to "provocateurs" in the West (Reuters, Rolling Stone). This duality in his statements has led to significant criticism, particularly from Ukrainian officials who labeled his comments as part of Russian disinformation efforts (BBC, Al Jazeera).

Waters has a history of controversial statements regarding the conflict, previously suggesting that NATO's actions left Russia with no choice but to invade (Rolling Stone). His remarks have sparked backlash, with Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya calling Waters' speech "another brick in the wall" of Russian propaganda (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that Roger Waters defended Russia's invasion of Ukraine is nuanced. While he explicitly condemned the invasion as illegal, his assertion that it was "not unprovoked" suggests a level of justification for Russia's actions, which many interpret as a defense (Reuters, Rolling Stone). This framing has been criticized as it aligns with narratives often promoted by Russian officials, who argue that NATO's expansion and Western provocations necessitated the invasion (BBC, Variety).

Critics, including Ukrainian officials, have pointed out the irony of Waters' stance, given his previous opposition to Soviet actions during the Cold War (BBC). The reliability of the sources discussing Waters' comments varies; mainstream outlets like the BBC and Reuters provide factual reporting, while opinion pieces may reflect bias based on the authors' perspectives on the conflict (BBC, Al Jazeera).

Waters' comments have also been scrutinized in light of his past statements, where he has expressed views that could be seen as sympathetic to Russia, further complicating the interpretation of his recent remarks (Rolling Stone, Variety).

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that Roger Waters defended Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is Partially True. While he condemned the invasion as illegal, his assertion that it was "not unprovoked" implies a justification for Russia's actions, which many interpret as a defense. His statements have drawn significant criticism and highlight the complexities of his position regarding the conflict.