A bill passed by the U.S. Senate’s foreign relations committee authorizes $10 million in annual funding focused on countering Russian “propaganda” in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
The authorization is part of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which the committee passed 18-0 on September 18.
It prioritizes the funding for Voice of America and RFE/RL broadcasting in the three former Soviet republics over the next three years.
The funds would be separate from other U.S. government financing aimed at combatting “Russian Federation propaganda,” according to the bill.
The Ukraine Freedom Support Act also authorizes further sanctions on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis, and $350 million in military assistance, including lethal aid, for Ukraine.
It is unclear when and if the bill will come up for a vote in the U.S. Senate.
