Roger Waters (@rogerwaters)
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Public criticisms
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
Krakow concerts cancelled after his 2022 open letter to Olena Zelenska
In September 2022, Roger Waters published an open letter to Ukraine's first lady urging an end to Western arms supplies, which BBC said blamed extreme nationalists in Ukraine and did not mention Russia's responsibility. Zelenska replied that he should ask another president for peace, and his two Krakow concerts were cancelled. Waters denied cancelling them himself.
- Open letter to Olena Zelenska - The New York Times reported that on Sept. 5 Waters posted an open letter to Olena Zelenska saying the best way to stop the killing was for the West to stop arming Ukraine. BBC reported Zelenska replied that Russia invaded Ukraine and that he should ask the president of another country for peace. Roger Waters Concert in Poland Called Off After Ukraine Views Prompt Anger
- Tauron Arena Krakow concerts cancelled - Reuters reported Live Nation Polska and Tauron Arena Krakow said the concert was cancelled without giving a reason, as councillors prepared a persona non grata resolution. BBC reported Waters denied that he or his management cancelled the shows and accused a councillor of draconian censoring. Polish venue cancels Roger Waters gigs after Ukraine comments
Ukraine's criticism after he addressed the UN Security Council at Russia's invitation in 2023
In February 2023, Roger Waters addressed the UN Security Council at Russia's invitation, calling the invasion of Ukraine illegal but also not unprovoked, and urging a ceasefire. Ukraine's UN ambassador said he had become a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation, and a US diplomat questioned his qualifications.
- Speech to the Security Council at Russia's invitation - Reuters reported Waters addressed the council by video at Russia's invitation. The UN audiovisual library quotes him calling the Russian invasion illegal and condemning it, while adding it was not unprovoked, condemning the provocateurs, and calling for an immediate ceasefire. Invited by Russia, Roger Waters tells UN: Ukraine invasion illegal
- Ukraine's envoy calls him a brick in Russia's propaganda wall - RFE/RL reported Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said it was sad for former fans to see Waters accept the role of a brick in a wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda. Deputy US ambassador Richard Mills said his qualifications on European security were less evident. Ukraine's UN Envoy Slams Ex-Pink Floyd Musician's Comments To Security Council
Frankfurt's attempt to cancel his 2023 concert over antisemitism accusations
In February 2023, the city of Frankfurt and the state of Hesse ordered the Festhalle operator to cancel Roger Waters' May concert, calling him one of the world's most influential antisemites, DW reported. Waters, who denies antisemitism, went to court, and in April 2023 a Frankfurt court ruled the show must go ahead, citing artistic freedom while calling parts of it tasteless.
- City and state order the concert cancelled - According to a Hesse administrative courts press release, Frankfurt and Hesse on Feb. 24 instructed Messe Frankfurt to terminate the May 28 concert contract. DW reported they called Waters one of the world's most influential antisemites. Roger Waters darf am 28. Mai 2023 auftreten
- Frankfurt court overturns the cancellation - DW reported the Frankfurt administrative court said that although the show borrows Nazi-linked symbolism, it saw no glorification of Nazi crimes and that barring him would infringe his artistic freedom. The Guardian noted Waters has always denied accusations of antisemitism. Frankfurt must allow Roger Waters performance, court says
Berlin incitement probe and US antisemitism criticism over a Nazi-style stage costume in 2023
After Roger Waters wore a Nazi-style coat and red armband at two Berlin concerts in May 2023, Berlin police opened an incitement investigation and the US State Department said he had a long track record of using antisemitic tropes. Waters said the routine was a statement against fascism. Berlin prosecutors closed the case in May 2025, citing artistic freedom, Tagesspiegel reported.
- Berlin police open an incitement investigation - AP reported that Berlin police opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement over the costume Waters wore at his May 17 and 18 concerts. Reuters said images showed him in a long black coat with red armbands, aiming an imitation machine gun at the audience. Berlin police investigate Roger Waters for possible incitement over concert outfit
- Waters says the routine was anti-fascist - Reuters reported that Waters said the questioned elements of his show were quite clearly a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry, and that depicting an unhinged fascist demagogue had been part of his shows since The Wall. Roger Waters says Nazi outfit at Berlin concert was anti-fascist
- US State Department calls the Berlin show deeply offensive to Jewish people - Reuters reported that the US State Department said the Berlin concert contained imagery deeply offensive to Jewish people that minimized the Holocaust. AP reported the department also said Waters had a long track record of using antisemitic tropes. US calls Roger Waters performance in Berlin 'deeply offensive to Jewish people'
- Berlin prosecutors close the case - Tagesspiegel reported that Berlin prosecutors closed the incitement investigation two years after the concerts. A spokesperson said the show could be read as a provocative warning and that the presumption of innocence applied. Ermittlungen gegen Roger Waters eingestellt