Roger Waters has delivered a strongly worded critique of Western policy towards Russia and the Ukraine conflict, arguing that escalating military spending and confrontation with Moscow are placing Europe on a dangerous path. Speaking in an interview with journalist Rick Sanchez, the musician called for diplomacy over conflict and questioned the motives of political leaders supporting continued military escalation.
INR Report: Based on reporting by RT. Read the original report HERE.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has criticised Western governments for increasing military spending and expanding confrontation with Russia, arguing that political leaders are risking a wider conflict while ordinary Russians and Ukrainians continue to bear the human cost of war. Speaking on The Sanchez Effect with Rick Sanchez, Waters described proposals for European NATO members to increase defence spending to 5 percent of GDP as "insane."
Waters questioned how Western leaders could contemplate direct confrontation with Russia, pointing to the Soviet Union's enormous sacrifice during the Second World War. He noted that millions of Soviet citizens died defeating Nazi Germany and suggested those historical realities should encourage diplomacy rather than military escalation.
The musician argued that the Ukraine conflict has been unnecessarily prolonged and claimed opportunities for peace had existed through both the Minsk agreements and negotiations held in Istanbul during 2022. He criticised Western governments for rejecting diplomatic solutions and repeated longstanding allegations that outside political intervention contributed to the events surrounding Ukraine's 2014 Maidan revolution. Waters also singled out former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, accusing him of discouraging peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. These remarks reflect Waters' personal views and remain politically contested.
According to Waters, the greatest victims of the conflict have been ordinary people on both sides of the front line. He said Russian and Ukrainian families had paid the price while powerful political and economic interests benefited from continued fighting. He argued that modern warfare has become increasingly influenced by defence contractors, wealthy political donors and entrenched financial interests that profit from prolonged conflict.
Waters also broadened his criticism beyond Ukraine, arguing that modern Western foreign policy continues patterns established during centuries of European colonialism and imperial expansion. He warned that continued military confrontation between nuclear-armed powers risks consequences far beyond Eastern Europe and urged citizens to question official narratives, communicate across political divides and pursue peaceful cooperation rather than conflict.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
New Zealand remains a supporter of Ukraine and participates diplomatically alongside Western partners, while maintaining an independent foreign policy. Debates over defence spending, NATO strategy, diplomacy and international security continue to influence discussions across many Western democracies, including New Zealand, particularly as governments reassess defence priorities in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.
Waters' comments also reflect a broader international debate about whether continued military assistance, sanctions and deterrence are the most effective means of ending the conflict, or whether greater emphasis should be placed on negotiated settlement. These competing perspectives remain highly contested among governments, security experts and international observers.
Independent Context
Roger Waters has consistently criticised NATO expansion, Western interventionism and military conflicts over many years. His views have attracted both support and criticism internationally. While his comments in this interview reflect his personal assessment of the Ukraine conflict and Western foreign policy, many of his historical and political interpretations—including his characterisation of the 2014 Maidan events and the collapse of peace negotiations—are disputed by Ukraine, Western governments and many historians.
Source: Based on reporting by RT. Original article: "Roger Waters blasts West for sacrificing Russian and Ukrainian lives for money."