Will the EU be able to save Radio Free Europe after Trump's funding cuts?

Now that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has fallen victim to sweeping funding cuts by US President Donald Trump's administration, the future of the pro-democracy media outlet is unclear.

RFE/RL started broadcasting during the Cold War, and has played an important role reporting across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East eve since. Its programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries.

The outlet has also provided critical coverage in Ukraine, especially after Russia labelled Voice of America and Radio Free Europe "foreign agents", adding RFE/RL to the list of "undesirable organisations" in 2024.

Two trademark projects of RFE/RL in Ukraine — Crimea Realities and Donbas Realities — have also provided key sources of information about the Russian-occupied territories.

Yet on Friday night, shortly after Congress passed its latest government funding bill, Trump instructed his administration to reduce the functions of several agencies to the minimum required by law.

These included the US Global Media Agency, a budget-funded government organisation that oversees outlets including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia, and Radio Marti, which broadcasts Spanish-language news to Cuba.

“The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s grant agreement would be a massive gift to America’s enemies,” the network’s President and CEO, Stephen Capus, said in a statement in reaction to the move.

The Czech Republic, which has hosted Radio Free Europe for 25 years, although its corporate headquarters is in Washington, is leading the push to keep the network alive.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has urged the EU to step up and support RFE/RL itself. After he raised the issue during Monday's gathering of