Yulia Navalnaya opposes funding for Radio Free Europe

To begin with, Radio Free Europe broadcasts not only to Russia but also in various languages to different countries. It seems at the very least strange not to support, for example, the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe, yet redirect that funding to Russian media.

Even more puzzling is the fact that none of the media outlets likely referred to in Navalnaya’s statements have condemned the occupation of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, nor have they called Russian soldiers war criminals and murderers instead of “our boys.”

Once, academician Andrei Sakharov, from the podium of the First Congress of People’s Deputies of the USSR, openly declared the war in Afghanistan to be criminal. But even back in 1980, while in exile, he had demanded in letters to the state leadership the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

Where are the Russian media today that demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea? There are none. And so, Europe, in seeking to support such media, is effectively supporting Putin’s terrorism — even if these media outlets allegedly oppose him.

So what should the European Union be supporting? I’m not opposed to creating media programs for Russians on the territory of Europe or Ukraine. After all, the coalition of countries resisting the aggressor must use every tool available, including informational ones. A Russian-language channel, for example, could be created in Poland or Ukraine. But its editorial policy must be determined by those countries. It is unacceptable for EU funds to support media that promote imperial narratives — even if they formally criticize Putin — yet do not recognize the need to liberate all occupied territories, including Crimea.

It is far more important to support Ukrainian-language and Crimean Tatar-language media in Ukraine. Because of the war, they are struggling to survive, yet they are critically important for resisting Russian propaganda within Ukrainian society. Ultimately, supporting media in languages that Russia seeks to erase for imperial reasons is a key step in countering its imperial ambitions.

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.