US Budget 2017 includes funds for Georgia to counter Russian aggression

The 2017 Budget of the United States, released by President Barack Obama today, includes funding for Georgia and other countries "most targeted by Russian aggression”.

The US Budget document stated $4.3 billion USD had been allocated for the purpose of "countering Russian aggression and supporting European allies”. This included bolstering capabilities across the region to counter Russian aggression, with a particular focus on Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

"Countering Russian aggression and supporting European allies in response to increasing attempts by the Russian Federation to constrain the foreign and domestic policy choices of neighboring countries, the Budget includes over $4.3 billion for political, economic, public diplomacy, and military support to build resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to Russian aggression among NATO allies and partner states in Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia,” the US Budget document read.

The US foreign assistance will support efforts to improve democracy and good governance, increase defence capabilities, strengthen rule of law and anti-corruption measures, and promote European integration, trade diversification, and energy security.

In addition, through continued investments in the US public diplomacy and international media activities, America planned to seek to engage "vulnerable populations in periphery countries”, expand US support for freedom of the press and independent journalism in the region, and advance America’s foreign policy interests.

Meanwhile to increase security and reassure NATO allies and partner states in Europe, the US Budget provided over $3.4 billion for the US Department of Defence (DOD)’s European Reassurance Initiative (ERI).

"ERI funding would enable the United States to increase military exercises and training, sustain a larger continuous rotational presence in Europe, enhance US preparedness to reinforce NATO allies through the prepositioning of equipment, and build the capacity of partner states in Europe to enhance interoperability with the United States and NATO to strengthen regional security,” the Budget said.

The 2017 White House Budget outlined how the country would spend $4.1 trillion next year. This included more than $11 billion for the DOD and the state to fight Islamic State militants and stabilise Syria.

The Budget of the US government contained the Budget Message of the President, information on the President’s priorities, and summary tables.