View source for Post-Soviet states

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{{Short description|Countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}

[[File:USSR Republics numbered by alphabet.svg|upright=1.35|thumb|Post-Soviet states<br />
{{small|{{nowrap|1. {{Flag|Armenia}}}} • {{nowrap|2. {{Flag|Azerbaijan}}}} • {{nowrap|3. {{Flag|Belarus}} •}} {{nowrap| 4. {{Flag|Estonia}} • 5. {{Flag|Georgia}} • 6. {{Flag|Kazakhstan}} •}} {{nowrap|7. {{Flag|Kyrgyzstan}} • 8. {{Flag|Latvia}} • 9. {{Flag|Lithuania}} •}} {{nowrap|10. {{Flag|Moldova}} • 11. {{Flag|Russia}} • 12. {{Flag|Tajikistan}} •}} {{nowrap|13. {{Flag|Turkmenistan}} • 14. {{Flag|Ukraine}} • 15. {{Flag|Uzbekistan}}}}}}]]

The '''post-Soviet states''', also referred to as the '''former Soviet Union''' ('''FSU''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1805/managing_conflict_in_the_former_soviet_union.html|title=Managing Conflict in the Former Soviet Union: Russian and American Perspectives|date=30 October 1997|work=harvard.edu|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230614/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1805/managing_conflict_in_the_former_soviet_union.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> or the '''former Soviet republics''', are the independent sovereign states that emerged/re-emerged from the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991. Prior to their independence, they existed as [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Union Republics]], which were the top-level constituents of the [[Soviet Union]]. There are 15 post-Soviet states in total: [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Belarus]], [[Estonia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Moldova]], [[Russia]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Uzbekistan]]. Each of these countries succeeded their respective Union Republics: the [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Armenian SSR]], the [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Azerbaijan SSR]], the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]], the [[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Estonian SSR]], the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgian SSR]], the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakh SSR]], the [[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Kirghiz SSR]], the [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|Latvian SSR]], the [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|Lithuanian SSR]], the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]], the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], the [[Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|Tajik SSR]], the [[Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic|Turkmen SSR]], the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], and the [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Uzbek SSR]]. In Russia, the term "[[near abroad]]" ({{Langx|ru|ближнее зарубежье|bližneye zarubežye}}) is sometimes used to refer to the post-Soviet states other than Russia.

Following the [[transition period and cessation of the existence of the Soviet Union]], post-Soviet states and the international community {{Langx|la|de facto and de jure|label=none}} recognized Russia as the only continuator state to the Soviet Union as a whole, rather than to just the Russian SFSR including [[Russia and the United Nations|UN and UNSC membership]] (see agreements in [[Succession, continuity and legacy of the Soviet Union]]). The other post-Soviet states were recognized as successors only to their corresponding Union Republics and to international treaties concluded by the Soviet Union. All 12 post-Soviet states are successors of the Soviet Union, but not continuators.<ref>https://30letnazad.ru/1992-04-01</ref>  <!-- this is a completely incorrect description of the situation here. However, Russia's status as the sole legitimate successor in this capacity has been disputed by Ukraine, which has proclaimed by law that it is the successor state to both the Ukrainian SSR and the Soviet Union as a whole.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Kiran Mohandas |date=2022-03-07 |title=How did Russia get USSR's permanent seat on UN Security Council? |url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0307/1284242-russia-ussr-un-security-council-permanent-seat/ |work=RTE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 1991 |title=Russia Takes Over the Soviet Union's Seat at the United Nations |url=http://www.ejil.org/pdfs/3/2/2045.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2024 |website=European Journal of International Law}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Metzel |first=Mikhail |date=17 February 2020 |title=Kremlin deems Russia de jure and de facto legal successor to USSR |url=https://tass.com/politics/1120939 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=TASS}}</ref> The question of whether Russia or Ukraine succeeded the Soviet Union in 1991 arose due to a comprehensive dispute between the two countries over what had been collective Soviet state-owned properties.<ref>[[On Legal Succession of Ukraine]], Articles 7 and 8.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/1543-12|title=Про правонаступництво України|website=Zakon.rada.gov.ua|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3320798-razdel-sssr-rf-obsudyt-nulevoi-varyant-dolhov-sssr-esly-ukrayna-kompensyruet-20-mlrd-dolha|title=Раздел СССР. РФ обсудит нулевой вариант долгов СССР, если Украина компенсирует $20 млрд долга‏|website=Korrespondent.net}}</ref> -->

The Union Republics of the [[Baltic states]] (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) were the first to break away from the Soviet Union by proclaiming the restoration of their national independence in 1990; they cited [[state continuity of the Baltic states|legal continuity from the original Baltic states]], asserting that Baltic sovereignty had continued on a {{Langx|la|de jure|label=none}} basis due to the belligerent nature of the [[Soviet occupation of the Baltic states (1940)|1940 Soviet annexation]].<ref name="Elsuwege">{{cite book|last=Van Elsuwege|first=Peter|title=From Soviet Republics to Eu Member States: A Legal and Political Assessment of the Baltic States' Accession to the EU|series=Studies in EU External Relations|volume=1|year=2008|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004169456|page=xxii}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Estonia |last=Smith |first=David James |year=2001 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-26728-1 |page=20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lx-UmTnLJv0C&pg=PR20}}</ref> Subsequently, the 12 remaining Union Republics seceded, with all of them jointly establishing the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) and most of them later joining the Russian-led [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] (CSTO). On the other hand, the three Baltic states pursued a policy of near-total disengagement with the Russian-dominated post-Soviet sphere, instead focusing on integrating themselves with the [[European Union]] (EU) and the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lane|first=David|date=December 2007|title=Post-Communist States and the European Union|journal=Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics|language=en|volume=23|issue=4|pages=461–477|doi=10.1080/13523270701674558|issn=1352-3279|doi-access=free}}</ref> They successfully attained [[Member states of NATO|NATO membership]] and were granted [[Member state of the European Union|EU membership]] in 2004. Since the 2000s, many EU officials have stressed the importance of establishing [[European Union Association Agreement|EU Association Agreements]] with the other post-Soviet states. Ukraine and Georgia have actively sought NATO membership due to [[Russian irredentism|increasingly hostile Russian interference in their internal affairs]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Moga |first1=Teodor Lucian |last2=Alexeev |first2=Denis |date=2013 |title=Post-Soviet States Between Russia and the EU: Reviving Geopolitical Competition? A Dual Perspective |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26326349.pdf |journal=Connections |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=41–52 |doi=10.11610/Connections.13.1.03 |jstor=26326349 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jozwiak |first=Rikard |date=5 April 2019 |title=EU, Ex-Soviet Republics To Extend Partnership Beyond 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-ex-soviet-republics-to-extend-partnership-beyond-2020/29863540.html |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref>

Due to the [[List of conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union|post-Soviet conflicts]], several disputed states with varying degrees of international recognition have emerged within the territory of the former Soviet Union. These include: [[Transnistria]], an unrecognized Russian-backed state in eastern Moldova; and [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]], two partially recognized Russian-backed states in northern Georgia. The [[United Nations]] (UN) has historically considered Russian-backed states in the "near abroad" to be illegitimate and instead views them as constituting [[Russian-occupied territories]]. The aftermath of Ukraine's [[Revolution of Dignity|Maidan Revolution]] saw the emergence of [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|Russian-backed states in Ukraine]] in 2014: the [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Republic of Crimea]] in southern Ukraine briefly proclaimed independence before being [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexed by Russia in 2014]];<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Danilova |first1=Maria |last2=Dahlburg |first2=John-Thor |date=17 March 2014 |title=Crimea declares independence |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/03/17/russia-calls-ukraine-federal-state/X3ipImb0DIelYk4PsRfmNP/story.html |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref> and the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and the [[Luhansk People's Republic]], both located in Ukraine's [[Donbas]], were occupied and subsequently declared independence in 2014 before being formally [[Russian annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts|annexed by Russia in 2022]], amidst the broader [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].

==Name==
In the political language of Russia and some other post-Soviet states, the term ''near abroad'' ({{langx|ru|ближнее зарубежье|blizhnee zarubezhe}}) refers to the independent republics that emerged after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]]. Increasing usage of the term in English is connected to assertions of Russia's right to maintain significant influence in the region.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07EED81E39F931A15756C0A962958260|title= On Language; The Near Abroad|access-date=18 April 2008|author=William Safire|date=22 May 1994|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link= William Safire}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR2008020502879.html|title=New Europe, Old Russia|access-date=18 April 2008|author=Robert Kagan|date=6 February 2008|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author-link=Robert Kagan}}</ref><ref name=se01>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05E5D91039F936A15751C0A9679C8B63|title=The World; Learning to Fear Putin's Gaze|access-date=18 April 2008|author=Steven Erlanger|date=25 February 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link=Steven Erlanger}}</ref> The concept has been compared to the [[Monroe Doctrine]], central to American [[grand strategy]] in the 20th century.<ref name=nyt/>

The ''[[AP Styleguide]]'' recommends avoiding use of the shorthand "former Soviet republic(s)" unless relevant to the story.<ref>{{Cite web |last=APStylebook |date=5 July 2023 |title=We have new guidance on AP Stylebook Online, recommending that writers avoid the shorthand former Soviet republic(s) for any of the group of 14 countries besides Russia that existed within the former Soviet Union, unless clearly relevant to the story. |url=https://twitter.com/APStylebook/status/1676630291090112512 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

==Country comparison==
The 15 states may be divided into four [[subregion]]s. The several [[list of states with limited recognition|de facto independent states]] presently lacking international recognition (read below: [[#Separatist conflicts|Separatist conflicts]]) are not listed separately.

<div style="font-size:99%">
{|class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:right" width=100%
|-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|[[Subregion]]
!rowspan=2|[[List of sovereign states|Country]]
!colspan=2|Symbols
!rowspan=2|[[Capital city|Capital]]
!rowspan=2|Form of<br>government
!rowspan=2|Independence
!colspan=2|Area<ref name="auto1">Area includes land and water.</ref>
!rowspan=2|Population
!colspan=2|Ethnic majority, percent
!colspan=2|Density
!rowspan=2|Notes
|-
!Coat of arms
!Flag
!km<sup>2</sup>
!mi<sup>2</sup>
!1989
!now
!p/km<sup>2</sup>
!p/mi<sup>2</sup>
|-
|rowspan=6 style="background:#688856" |
|rowspan=5 align=center|[[Central Asia]]
|align=center|'''[[Kazakhstan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Kazakhstan)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Kazakhstan latin.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Kazakhstan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|{{nowrap|[[Astana]]}}
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Dominant-party system|dominant-party]]<br>[[Presidential republic|presidential]] [[republic]]
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Kazakhstan)|16 December 1991]]
|{{convert|2724900|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Kazakhstan|20,075,271]]
|39.7%
|{{increase}} 69.6%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 18448000/2724900 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 February 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eng.stat.kz/Pages/default.aspx|title=The Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan : Latest data|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801110415/http://www.eng.stat.kz/Pages/default.aspx|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Kyrgyzstan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Kyrgyz Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Kyrgyzstan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Kyrgyzstan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Bishkek]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential republic|presidential]]<br>[[republic]]
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Kyrgyzstan)|31 August 1991]]
|{{convert|199945|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Kyrgyzstan|7,100,000]]
|52.4%
|{{increase}} 73.8%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 6523500/199945 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 2015</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.gov.kg/media/statisticsoperational/8095e2a8-5228-4645-90e5-4ee025605225.xls|title=Official estimate|website=Stat.kg|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Tajikistan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Tajikistan)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Tajikistan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Tajikistan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Dushanbe]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential republic|presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[dictatorship]]
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Tajikistan)|9 September 1991]]
|{{convert|143100|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Tajikistan|10,077,600]]
|62.3%
|{{increase}} 84.3%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 9121600/143100 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stat.tj/en/|title=Statistical Agency under President of the Republic of Tajikistan|date=6 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306125630/http://www.stat.tj/en/|archive-date=6 March 2012}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Turkmenistan]]'''<br/>{{small|({{small|formerly the}} Republic of Turkmenistan)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Turkmenistan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Turkmenistan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Ashgabat]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential republic|presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[Hereditary dictatorship|hereditary]]<br>[[dictatorship]]
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Turkmenistan)|27 October 1991]]
|{{convert|491210|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Turkmenistan|7,057,841]]
|72.0%
|{{increase}} 85.6%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 5240000/491210 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 July 2013</ref><ref>UN estimate</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Uzbekistan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Uzbekistan)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Uzbekistan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Uzbekistan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Tashkent]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential republic|presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[dictatorship]]
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Uzbekistan)|1 September 1991]]
|{{convert|444103|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Uzbekistan|37,030,884]]
|71.4%
|{{increase}} 84.4%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 33905000/444103 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref name="auto">Population data as of 1 January 2014</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stat.uz/demographic/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140723223303/http://www.stat.uz/demographic/|url-status=dead|title=Государственный комитет Республики Узбекистан по статистике – Демографические данные|archive-date=23 July 2014}}</ref>
|-
|align=center colspan="7"|'''Total Central Asia'''
|{{convert|4003258|km2|0|disp=table}}
|76,350,229
|{{Average|39.7|52.4|62.3|72.0|71.4|round=1}}%
|{{increase}} {{Average|69.6|73.8|84.3|85.6|84.4|round=1}}%
|{{convert|{{Average|7|33|64|11|76}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|
|-
|rowspan=5 style="background:#ffc600" |
|rowspan=4 align=center|[[Eastern Europe]]
|align=center|'''[[Belarus]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Belarus)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Belarus (2020).svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Belarus|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Minsk]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential republic|presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[dictatorship]]
|align=center|[[Belovezha Accords|25 August 1991]]
|{{convert|207600|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Belarus|9,155,978]]
|77.9%
|{{increase}} 84.9%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 9452000/207600 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 July 2014</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/otrasli-statistiki/naselenie/demografiya_2/current-data/demographic-situation-in-Half-Year-2014/|title=Demographic situation in Half-Year 2014|date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729023401/http://belstat.gov.by/en/ofitsialnaya-statistika/otrasli-statistiki/naselenie/demografiya_2/current-data/demographic-situation-in-Half-Year-2014/|archive-date=29 July 2014}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Moldova]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Moldova)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Moldova.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Moldova|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Chișinău]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary]]<br>[[republic]]
|align=center|[[Declaration of Independence of Moldova|27 August 1991]]
|{{convert|33843|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Moldova|2,512,758]]
|64.5%
|{{increase}} 75.1%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 2681735/33843 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 January 2017</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statistica.gov.md/category.php?l=ro&idc=103&|title=// Populaţia și procesele demografice|first=Biroul Naţional de|last=Statistică|website=statistica.gov.md}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Russia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Russian Federation)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Russian_Federation.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Russia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Moscow]]
|align=center|[[Federation|Federal]] [[Semi-presidential republic|semi-presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[dictatorship]] 
|align=center|[[Belovezha Accords|12 December 1991]]
|{{convert|17098242|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Russia|146,171,015]]
|81.5%
|{{decrease}} 77.7%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 146748590/17098242 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>The Russian Federation technically achieved ''de facto'' independence from the Soviet Union after ratifying the [[Belavezha Accords]]. After the [[Almaty protocol]], the RF took over the Soviet Union's UN membership.</ref><ref>Population data as of 1 January 2018</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/population/demo/Popul2018.xls|title=Official estimate|format=XLS|website=Gks.ru|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317175529/http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/population/demo/Popul2018.xls|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Includes the [[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Republic of Crimea]] and [[Sevastopol]], claimed by Ukraine</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Ukraine]]'''
|align=center|[[File:Lesser Coat of Arms of Ukraine.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Ukraine|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Kyiv]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Semi-presidential republic|semi-presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under [[martial law]] since 2022
|align=center|[[Declaration of Independence of Ukraine|24 August 1991]]
|{{convert|603700|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Ukraine|36,744,636]]
|72.7%
|{{increase}} 77.5%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 41762138/577528 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 April 2014</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukrstat.gov.ua/operativ/operativ2014/ds/kn/kn_e/kn0414_e.html|title=Population as of April 1, 2014. Average annual populations January–March 2014|website=Ukrstat.gov.ua}}</ref>
|-
|align=center colspan="7"|'''Total Eastern Europe'''
|{{convert|17943385|km2|0|disp=table}}
|199,500,942
|{{Average|77.9|64.5|81.5|72.7|round=1}}%
|{{increase}} {{Average|84.9|75.1|77.7|77.5|round=1}}%
|{{convert|{{Average|46|79|9|72}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|
|-
|rowspan=4 style="background:#0065c8" |
|rowspan=3 align=center|[[Baltic states|Baltics]]
|align=center|'''[[Estonia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Estonia)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Estonia.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Estonia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Tallinn]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary]]<br>[[republic]] 
|align=center|[[Estonian Restoration of Independence|8 May 1990]]
|{{convert|45339|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Estonia|1,331,796]]
|61.5%
|{{increase}} 69.4%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 1329000/45339 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 1 January 2015</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stat.ee/main-indicators|title=Official estimate|website=Stat.ee|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=23 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123153505/http://www.stat.ee/main-indicators|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Latvia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Latvia)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Latvia.svg|75x75px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Latvia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Riga]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary]]<br>[[republic]] 
|align=center|[[On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia|4 May 1990]]
|{{convert|64562|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Latvia|1,882,200]]
|52.0%
|{{increase}} 63.0%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 1907675/64562 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/statistikas-temas/population-key-indicators-30624.html|title=Population – Key Indicators &#124; Latvijas statistika|date=28 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628214416/http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/statistikas-temas/population-key-indicators-30624.html|archive-date=28 June 2013}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Lithuania]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Lithuania)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Lithuania.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Lithuania|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Vilnius]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Semi-presidential republic|semi-presidential]]<br>[[republic]] 
|align=center|[[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|11 March 1990]]
|{{convert|65300|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Lithuania|2,859,718]]
|79.6%
|{{increase}} 84.6%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 2794000/65300 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://db1.stat.gov.lt/statbank/selectvarval/saveselections.asp?MainTable=M3010101&PLanguage=1&TableStyle=&Buttons=&PXSId=7743&IQY=&TC=&ST=ST&rvar0=&rvar1=&rvar2=&rvar3=&rvar4=&rvar5=&rvar6=&rvar7=&rvar8=&rvar9=&rvar10=&rvar11=&rvar12=&rvar13=&rvar14=|title=Number of persons by month – Database of Indicators – data and statistics|date=19 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819130935/http://db1.stat.gov.lt/statbank/selectvarval/saveselections.asp?MainTable=M3010101&PLanguage=1&TableStyle=&Buttons=&PXSId=7743&IQY=&TC=&ST=ST&rvar0=&rvar1=&rvar2=&rvar3=&rvar4=&rvar5=&rvar6=&rvar7=&rvar8=&rvar9=&rvar10=&rvar11=&rvar12=&rvar13=&rvar14=|archive-date=19 August 2010}}</ref>
|-
|align=center colspan="7"|'''Total Baltic states'''
|{{convert|175201|km2|0|disp=table}}
|5,998,274
|{{Average|61.5|52|79.6|round=1}}%
|{{increase}} {{Average|69.1|62.2|84.6|round=1}}%
|{{convert|{{Average|29|30|43}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|
|-
|rowspan=4 style="background:#f18cbf" |
|rowspan=3 align=center|[[South Caucasus]]
|align=center|'''[[Armenia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Armenia)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Armenia.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Armenia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Yerevan]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary]]<br>[[republic]] 
|align=center|{{nowrap|[[1991 Armenian independence referendum|21 September 1991]]}}
|{{convert|29743|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Armenia|2,976,800]]
|93.3%
|{{increase}} 98.1%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 2965000/29743 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 2012</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=126&id=11001|title=Feedback / Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia|website=Armstat.am|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Azerbaijan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Azerbaijan)}} 
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Azerbaijan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Azerbaijan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Baku]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[semi-presidential]]<br>[[republic]] under a [[Hereditary dictatorship|hereditary]]<br>[[dictatorship]]
|align=center|[[Declaration of Independence of Azerbaijan|18 October 1991]]
|{{convert|86600|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Azerbaijan|10,127,145]]
|82.7%
|{{increase}} 91.6%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 9981400/86600 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>Population data as of 31 December 2013</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.gov.az/news/?id=2122|title=2013-cü ildə ölkənin iqtisadi və sosial inkişafının makroiqtisadi göstəriciləri|first=Anar|last=Samadov|website=Stat.gov.az|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]'''<br/>{{small|({{small|formerly the}} Republic of Georgia)}}
|align=center|[[File:Greater coat of arms of Georgia.svg|65x65px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Georgia (country)|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Tbilisi]]
|align=center|[[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary republic|parliamentary]]<br>[[republic]] 
|align=center|[[Independence Day (Georgia)|9 April 1991]]
|{{convert|69700|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of Georgia (country)|3,688,600]]
|70.1%
|{{increase}} 86.8%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 3723000/69700 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geostat.ge/index.php/ka|title=საქართველოს სტატისტიკის ეროვნული სამსახური|website=Geostat.ge}}</ref>
|-
|align=center colspan="7"|'''Total South Caucasus'''
|{{convert|186043|km2|0|disp=table}}
|16,831,069
|{{Average|93.3|82.7|70.1|round=1}}%<br>{{dubious|date=November 2024}}
|{{increase}} {{Average|98.1|91.6|86.8|round=1}}%
|{{convert|{{Average|100|115|53|round=1}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|
|-
|- class="sortbottom" style="border-top:2px solid gray" |
|align=center colspan="8"|'''Total former Soviet Union'''
|{{convert|22307815|km2|0|disp=table}}
|[[Demographics of the Soviet Union|296,582,638]]
|50.6%
|{{decrease}} 44.5%
|{{convert|{{#expr: 208826650/22307815 round 0}}|/km2|0|disp=table}}
|align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/government/1946/population.pdf|title=The Population of the Soviet Union : History and Prospects|author=Frank Lorimer|website=Marxists.org|access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref>
|}
</div>

===Current leaders===
====Heads of state====
<gallery>
File:Vahagn Khachaturyan portrait (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|ARM}} '''[[Armenia]]'''<br/>[[Vahagn Khachaturyan]]<br/>[[President of Armenia]]
File:Ilham Aliyev in 2023.jpg|{{flagicon|AZE}} '''[[Azerbaijan]]'''<br/>[[Ilham Aliyev]]<br/>[[President of Azerbaijan]]
File:Lukashenko (October 2019) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|BLR}} '''[[Belarus]]'''<br/>[[Alexander Lukashenko]]<br/>[[President of Belarus]]
File:Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Estonian President Karis in Kyiv 2022 (13) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|EST}} '''[[Estonia]]'''<br/>[[Alar Karis]]<br/>[[President of Estonia]]
File:Mikheil Kavelashvili 2014.jpg|{{flagicon|GEO}} '''[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]'''<br/>[[Mikheil Kavelashvili]] <br/>[[President of Georgia]]
File:Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2022-06-17) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|KAZ}} '''[[Kazakhstan]]'''<br/>[[Kassym-Jomart Tokayev]]<br/>[[President of Kazakhstan]]
File:President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.jpg|{{flagicon|KGZ}} '''[[Kyrgyzstan]]'''<br/>[[Sadyr Japarov]]<br/>[[President of Kyrgyzstan]]
File:Edgars Rinkēvičs as president-elect, 2023-05-31 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|LAT}} '''[[Latvia]]'''<br/>[[Edgars Rinkēvičs]]<br/>[[President of Latvia]]
File:Gitanas Nausėda in Lviv (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|LTU}} '''[[Lithuania]]'''<br/>[[Gitanas Nausėda]]<br/>[[President of Lithuania]]
File:Meeting of the President of Ukraine with the President of the Republic of Moldova in Kyiv (23) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|MDA}} '''[[Moldova]]'''<br/>[[Maia Sandu]]<br/>[[President of Moldova]]
File:Владимир Путин (08-09-2022) 2.png|{{flagicon|RUS}} '''[[Russia]]'''<br/>[[Vladimir Putin]]<br/>[[President of Russia]]
File:Emomali Rahmon in 2016 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|TJK}} '''[[Tajikistan]]'''<br/>[[Emomali Rahmon]]<br/>[[President of Tajikistan]]
File:Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdimuhamedow (2022-06-10) 02 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|TKM}} '''[[Turkmenistan]]'''<br/>[[Serdar Berdimuhamedow]]<br/>[[President of Turkmenistan]]<ref name=TKMPM>Holds both presidency and executive powers as the [[Prime Minister of Turkmenistan]] role was abolished.</ref>
File:For every act of terrorism by Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine there will be an international tribunal - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (51940800012) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|UKR}} '''[[Ukraine]]'''<br/>[[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]<br/>[[President of Ukraine]]
File:Shavkat Mirziyoyev.jpg|{{flagicon|UZB}} '''[[Uzbekistan]]'''<br/>[[Shavkat Mirziyoyev]]<br/>[[President of Uzbekistan]]
</gallery><!--Lacks portrait-->

====Heads of government====
<gallery>
File:Nikol Pashinyan 01 (07-04-2021).jpg|{{flagicon|ARM}} '''[[Armenia]]'''<br/>[[Nikol Pashinyan]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Armenia]]
File:Али Асадов (25-08-2022).jpg|{{flagicon|AZE}} '''[[Azerbaijan]]'''<br/>[[Ali Asadov]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Azerbaijan]]
File:Роман Головченко (25-02-2022).jpg|{{flagicon|BLR}} '''[[Belarus]]'''<br/>[[Roman Golovchenko]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Belarus]]
File:Kristen Michal in 2024 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|EST}} '''[[Estonia]]'''<br/>[[Kristen Michal]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Estonia]]
File:Irakli Kobakhidze and Volodymyr Groysman 01 cropped.jpg|{{flagicon|GEO}} '''[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]'''<br/>[[Irakli Kobakhidze]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Georgia]]
File:Oljas Bektenov (2024-02-06, cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|KAZ}} '''[[Kazakhstan]]'''<br/>[[Oljas Bektenov]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Kazakhstan]]
File:Emblem of Kyrgyzstan.svg|{{flagicon|KGZ}} '''[[Kyrgyzstan]]'''<br/>[[Adylbek Kasymaliev]]<br/>[[Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan]]
File:Jaunievēlētās Ministru prezidentes Evikas Siliņas preses konference (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|LAT}} '''[[Latvia]]'''<br/>[[Evika Siliņa]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Latvia]]
File:Gintautas Paluckas by Augustas Didzgalvis (cropped)(correct angle version).jpg|{{flagicon|LTU}} '''[[Lithuania]]'''<br/>[[Gintautas Paluckas]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Lithuania]]
File:Dorin Recean (March 2023).jpg|{{flagicon|MDA}} '''[[Moldova]]'''<br/>[[Dorin Recean]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Moldova]]
File:Mikhail Mishustin (2020-07-09).jpg|{{flagicon|RUS}} '''[[Russia]]'''<br/>[[Mikhail Mishustin]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Russia]]
File:Kokhir Rasulzoda (2018-04-19).jpg|{{flagicon|TJK}} '''[[Tajikistan]]'''<br/>[[Kokhir Rasulzoda]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Tajikistan]]
File:Vladimir Putin and Serdar Berdimuhamedow (2022-06-10) 02 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|TKM}} '''[[Turkmenistan]]'''<br/>[[Serdar Berdimuhamedow]]<br/>[[President of Turkmenistan]]<ref name=TKMPM/>
File:Book of Condolence (52366372626) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|UKR}} '''[[Ukraine]]'''<br/>[[Denys Shmyhal]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Ukraine]]
File:Abdulla Aripov (2019-05-30).jpg|{{flagicon|UZB}} '''[[Uzbekistan]]'''<br/>[[Abdulla Aripov]]<br/>[[Prime Minister of Uzbekistan]]
</gallery><!--Lacks portrait-->

==Economy==
The [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] occurred against a backdrop of economic stagnation and regression within the [[economy of the USSR]]. This period marked the breakdown of the [[Gosplan]], the state planning agency responsible for economic planning and [[republics of the Soviet Union|inter-republic]] economic connections, exacerbating the effects on the economies of the post-Soviet states.

Most of the formerly Soviet states began the [[transition economy|transition]] to a [[market economy]] from a [[command economy]] in 1990–1991 and made efforts to rebuild and restructure their economic systems, often following [[neoliberal]] [[Shock therapy (economics)|shock therapy]] policies, with varying results. In all, the process triggered severe economic declines, with [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) dropping by more than 40% overall between 1990 and 1995.<ref>''Transition: The First Ten Years – Analysis and Lessons for Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union'', The World Bank, Washington, DC, 2002, p. 4.</ref> This decline in GDP was much more intense than the 27% decline that the United States suffered in the wake of the [[Great Depression]] between 1930 and 1934.<ref>[http://www.k-a.kg/?nid=5&value=6 GDP decline: transition and Great Depression compared], Kalikova and Associates Law Firm, Kyrgyzstan. Retrieved 13 January 2009.</ref> The reconfiguration of public finance in compliance with [[capitalist]] principles resulted in dramatically reduced spending on health, education and other social programs, leading to a sharp increase in [[poverty]] and [[economic inequality]].<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E0D8163FF931A25753C1A9669C8B63 Study Finds Poverty Deepening in Former Communist Countries], New York Times, 12 October 2000</ref><ref>{{cite book | last =  Scheidel| first = Walter | author-link =Walter Scheidel| title =The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century | publisher = Princeton University Press| year =2017 | isbn =978-0691165028|page= [https://books.google.com/books?id=NgZpDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA222 222]}}</ref> The economic shocks associated with wholesale [[privatization]] resulted in the excess deaths of roughly 1 million working age individuals throughout the former Soviet bloc in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2009/090115.html |title=Death surge linked with mass privatisation |publisher=[[University of Oxford]] |date=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702113600/http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2009/090115.html|archive-date=2 July 2014|access-date=28 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7828901.stm Privatisation 'raised death rate']. ''[[BBC]],'' 15 January 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2014.</ref> A study by economist [[Steven Rosefielde]] asserts that 3.4 million Russians died premature deaths from 1990 to 1998, partly as the result of the shock therapy policies imposed by the [[Washington Consensus]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Rosefielde|first1=Steven|date=2001 |title=Premature Deaths: Russia's Radical Economic Transition in Soviet Perspective|journal=[[Europe-Asia Studies]]|volume=53 |issue=8 |pages=1159–1176|doi= 10.1080/09668130120093174|s2cid=145733112}}</ref>

The initial transition decline was eventually arrested, and after 1995 the economy in the post-Soviet states began to recover, with GDP switching from negative to positive growth rates. By 2007, 10 of the 15 post-Soviet states had recovered their 1991 GDP levels.<ref name=imf>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/01/data/dbcselm.cfm?G=901|title=Edit/Review Countries|date=9 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509173048/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/01/data/dbcselm.cfm?G=901|archive-date=9 May 2006}}</ref> According to economist [[Branko Milanović]], in 2015 many former Soviet republics and other former [[communist]] countries still have not caught up to their 1991 levels of output, including [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Moldova]], [[Serbia]], [[Tajikistan]] and [[Ukraine]]. He concluded that "only 1 out of 10 people living in 'transition' countries have seen a successful transition to capitalism and more democracy."<ref>{{cite book |last=Ghodsee|first=Kristen|date=2017 |title=Red Hangover: Legacies of Twentieth-Century Communism|url=https://www.dukeupress.edu/red-hangover|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|page=63 |isbn=978-0822369493}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1080/05775132.2015.1012402| title =After the Wall Fell: The Poor Balance Sheet of the Transition to Capitalism| journal =[[Challenge (economics magazine)|Challenge]]| volume = 58| issue = 2| pages =135–138| year = 2015| last1 =  Milanović | first1 = Branko| s2cid =153398717|author-link=}}</ref> Commenting on Milanović's report in 2021, [[Kristen Ghodsee]] says this view is "essentially correct" and perhaps underestimates "the negative impacts of transition by focusing only on GDP, inequality and democratic consolidation" whereas Mitchell A. Orenstein says this view is "overly pessimistic" and notes that "Poland had done spectacularly well and living standards had increased in many countries."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ghodsee|first1=Kristen|last2=Orenstein|first2=Mitchell A.|date=2021|title=Taking Stock of Shock: Social Consequences of the 1989 Revolutions|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|page=184|doi=10.1093/oso/9780197549230.001.0001 |isbn=978-0197549247|quote=Ghodsee, who had conducted much of her research in the Balkans or East Germany among women and ethnic minorities, believed that Milanović's findings were essentially correct but were most likely underestimating the negative impacts of transition by focusing only on GDP, inequality, and democratic consolidation. Orenstein, on the other hand, whose early career was spent conducting research on the transition process in Poland and the Czech Republic, believed that Milanović's findings were overly pessimistic. Poland had done spectacularly well and living standards had increased in many countries.}}</ref>

Most of the new states' constitutions define directly or indirectly the economic system of the countries parallel to the democratic transition of the 1990s, emphasising the [[free market economy]]. The average government debt in these countries is nearly 44%, but the deviation is great, because the lowest figure is close to 10% but the highest is 97%. The trend shows that the sovereign [[debt-to-GDP ratio]] in most of the countries has been rising. The constitutional background for taxation is similar. [[Central bank]]s are often independent state institutions, which possess the monopoly on managing and implementing a state's or federation's monetary policy. Besides monetary policy, some of them also perform the supervision of the [[financial intermediary system]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Vértesy|first=László|date=2017|title=Constitutional Bases of Public Finances in the Central and Eastern European Countries|journal=25th NISPAcee Annual Conference: Innovation Governance in the Public Sector|language=en|location=Rochester, NY|ssrn=3157175}}</ref>

'''Change in gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices, 1991–2015'''<ref name=worldbank>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG|title=GDP growth (annual %)|work=World Bank Group |access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Country!!data-sort-type="number"|1991*!!data-sort-type="number"|1996!!data-sort-type="number"|2001!!data-sort-type="number"|2006!!data-sort-type="number"|2011!!data-sort-type="number"|2015!!data-sort-type="number"|2021!!data-sort-type="number"|2022!!data-sort-type="number"|Turnaround<br/>year**
|-
|''[[Central Asia]]''|| || || || || || || ||
|-
|{{flagdeco|Kazakh SSR}} [[Kazakhstan]]||100 || 69.3 || 88.5 || 141.4 ||185.7 || 219.0 || 252.3 || 261.1 || 1996
|-
|{{flagdeco|Kyrgyz SSR}} [[Kyrgyzstan]]||100 || 58.9 || 76.1 || 89.6 ||114.4 || 133.9 || 154.5 || 169.6 || 1996
|-
|{{flagdeco|Tajik SSR}} [[Tajikistan]]||100 || 34.1 || 45.2 || 56.0 ||98.1 || 124.5 || 189.5 || 205.0 || 1997
|-
|{{flagdeco|Turkmen SSR}} [[Turkmenistan]]||100 || 70.7 || 86.0 ||117.2 ||199.2 || 285.5 || 367.9 || 374.2 || 1998
|-
|{{flagdeco|Uzbek SSR}} [[Uzbekistan]]||100 || 82.9 || 102.6 || 137.5 ||208.4 || 281.2 || 363.6 || 387.5 || 1996
|-
|''[[Eastern Europe]]''|| || || || || || || ||
|-
|{{flagdeco|Byelorussian SSR}} [[Belarus]]||100 || 67.9 || 94.0 || 141.5 ||192.5 || 193.9 || 206.0 || 196.7 || 1996
|-
|{{flagicon|Moldova|1952}} [[Moldova]]||100 || 45.2 || 45.0 || 62.5 ||74.5 || 83.2 || 104.6 || 98.4 || 1997
|-
|{{flagicon|Russia|1954}} [[Russia]]||100 || 63.1 || 74.5 || 103.3 ||118.3 || 119.8 || 135.2 || 133.3 || 1997
|-
|{{flagdeco|Ukrainian SSR}} [[Ukraine]]||100 || 47.2 || 51.8 || 73.7 ||75.9 || 63.4 || 68.8 || 48.6 || 2000
|-
|''[[Baltic states]]''|| || || || || || || || 
|-
|{{flagdeco|Estonian SSR}} [[Estonia]]***||? || 105.0 || 143.9 || 212.3 || 203.2 || 222.3 || 281.9 || 278.2 || ?
|-
|{{flagdeco|Latvian SSR}} [[Latvia]]||100 || 67.8 || 92.9 || 143.1 ||130.1 || 145.8 || 165.3 || 171.7 || 1993
|-
|{{flagdeco|Lithuanian SSR}} [[Lithuania]]||100 ||  64.6 || 81.5 || 119.8 ||123.9 || 139.6 || 173.2 || 180.0 || 1995
|-
|''[[South Caucasus]]''|| || || || || || || ||
|-
|{{flagdeco|Armenian SSR}} [[Armenia]]||100 || 63.3 || 84.2 || 154.7 ||172.5 || 202.6 || 244.2 || 276.0 || 1994
|-
|{{flagdeco|Azerbaijan SSR}} [[Azerbaijan]]||100 || 42.7 || 65.2 || 150.2 ||241.1 || 276.5 || 269.6 || 282.1 || 1996
|-
|{{flagicon|Georgia|1951}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]||100 || 39.8 || 49.8 || 74.1 ||93.2 || 109.3 || 136.0 || 150.3 || 1995
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Economy of most Soviet republics started to decline in 1989–1990, thus indices for 1991 do not match pre-reform maximums.

<nowiki>**</nowiki>The year when GDP decline switched to GDP growth

<nowiki>***</nowiki>World bank publishes GDP data for Estonia only from 1995 onwards. Figures for Estonia are relative to 1995 GDP.

'''List of the present [[gross domestic product]] (GDP)''' (figures are given in 2023 [[United States dollar]]s for the year 2023 according to the [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/ARM/AZE/BLR/EST/GEO/KAZ/KGZ/LVA/LTU/MDA/RUS/TJK/TKM/UKR/UZB|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects|website=International Monetary Fund }}</ref>)

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Country
! Nominal<br/>(millions USD)
! Nominal<br/>per capita (USD)
! [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]<br/>(millions USD)
! [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]<br/>per capita (USD)
|-
|'''Post-Soviet States'''
|3,035,843
|10,230
|7,496,732
|25,280
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Armenia}}
| 23,725
| 8,007
| 57,740
| 19,489
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
| 70,030
| 6,757
| 193,478
| 18,669
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Belarus}}
| 73,543
| 7,944
| 217,040
| 23,447
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Estonia}}
| 41,551
| 31,209
| 61,757
| 46,385
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Georgia}}
| 27,947
| 7,600
| 80,611
| 21,922
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Kazakhstan}}
| 245,695
| 12,306
| 652,597
| 32,688
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
| 12,309
| 1,736
| 43,318
| 6,250
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Latvia}}
| 47,398
| 25,136
| 75,910
| 40,256
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Lithuania}}
| 78,346
| 28,094
| 137,389
| 49,266
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Moldova}}
| 15,829
| 6,342
| 42,028
| 16,840
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Russia}}
| 2,062,649
| 14,403
| 4,988,829
| 34,837
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Tajikistan}}
| 12,796 
| 1,277
| 52,997
| 5,293
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Turkmenistan}}
| 82,649
| 13,065
| 126,355
| 19,974
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Ukraine}}
| 148,712
| 4,654
| 444,194
| 13,901
|- style="height: 25px;"
| align="left" | {{flag|Uzbekistan}}
| 92,332
| 2,563
| 371,346
| 10,308
|}

==Developmental progress==
The post-Soviet states listed according to their [[list of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]] scores in 2021:<ref name="hdi-report">{{cite web |title=Human Development Report 2021-22: Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|website=Hdr.undp.org |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Post-Soviet states by HDI (2020).png|right|630px]]

'''Very High Human Development:'''

* {{flagcountry|Estonia}}: 0.890
* {{flagcountry|Lithuania}}: 0.875
* {{flagcountry|Latvia}}: 0.863
* {{flagcountry|Russia}}: 0.822
* {{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}: 0.811
* {{flagcountry|Belarus}}: 0.808
* {{flagcountry|Georgia}}: 0.802

'''High Human Development:'''

* {{flagcountry|Ukraine}}: 0.773
* {{flagcountry|Moldova}}: 0.767
* {{flagcountry|Armenia}}: 0.759
* {{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}}: 0.745
* {{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}: 0.745
* {{flagcountry|Uzbekistan}}: 0.727

'''Medium Human Development:'''

* {{flagcountry|Kyrgyzstan}}: 0.692
* {{flagcountry|Tajikistan}}: 0.685

== Regional organizations == <!-- This section is linked from [[Black Sea]] -->
{{Supranational PostSoviet Bodies|size=500px|align=right}}

[[File:Commonwealth of Independent States vs EU and NATO.svg|upright=0.9|thumb|{{legend|#FFFFD0|CIS members}}{{legend|#3CE67B|Members of [[EU]] & [[NATO]]}} {{legend|#FFD0D0|Other NATO members}}]]

A number of [[regional organization]]s and cooperating blocs have sprung up since the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]]. Only organizations that are mainly (or completely) composed of post-Soviet states are listed in this section; organizations with wider memberships are not discussed. The 15 post-Soviet states are divided in their participation to the regional blocs:
* [[Belarus]], [[Russia]], and [[Ukraine]] founded the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) in December 1991. Conceived as a successor organization to the [[USSR]], it included 12 of the 15 former [[Soviet republics]] (all except the three Baltic states) by December 1993.<ref name=ratification>[http://cis.minsk.by/sm.aspx?uid=11368 Ratification status of CIS documents as of 15 January 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030122332/http://cis.minsk.by/sm.aspx?uid=11368 |date=30 October 2008 }} ('''Russian''')</ref> It now has nine members and one associate state ([[Turkmenistan]]). Georgia withdrew from the CIS in August 2008, while Ukraine stopped participating in May 2018. Although it was one of the founding countries of the CIS, Ukraine was never legally a member because it didn't ratify the 1993 CIS Charter.<ref name=ratification/>
* The three Baltic states have not sought membership in any of these post-Soviet organizations, seeking and achieving membership in the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] instead, although their electricity and rail systems remain closely connected with former Soviet organizations. The sole exception to the above has been their recent membership in the [[Community of Democratic Choice]].
* The Central Asian states of [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Tajikistan]], and [[Uzbekistan]] (as well as Belarus) are members of the CIS and participate in several regional organizations that have Russia as a primary mover. Such organizations include the [[Eurasian Economic Community]] (EurAsEC, which later merged with [[Eurasian Economic Union]], of which Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are not members), the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] (CSTO), and the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]]. The last two groups only became distinct once Uzbekistan withdrew from [[GUAM]] and sought membership in EurAsEC and CSTO (from which it subsequently withdrew in 2008 and 2012, respectively).
* [[Armenia]], besides its membership in CIS, participates in the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] and the [[Eurasian Economic Union]].
* [[Moldova]] and [[Azerbaijan]] participate in the CIS but otherwise mostly cooperate within regional organizations not dominated by Russia, such as [[GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development|GUAM]] and the Community of Democratic Choice.
* Turkmenistan is an associate member of CIS, having withdrawn from full membership in August 2005,<ref name="turken">[http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1061002.html Turkmenistan reduces CIS ties to "Associate Member"], Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 29 August 2005.</ref> and a member in the [[Economic Cooperation Organization]]; it has not sought closer integration through any of the other Western or post-Soviet organizations.
* In 2008, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] notified the CIS executive bodies of its decision to leave the regional organization,<ref name="BBC">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7560100.stm Georgian parliament votes to withdraw from CIS] on BBC News, 14 August 2008.</ref><ref name="georgia">[http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=36&info_id=7526 Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on Georgia's withdrawal from CIS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903225356/http://www.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=36&info_id=7526 |date=3 September 2008 }}, 18 August 2008.</ref> and this decision came into force 12 months after the notification date, in accordance with the CIS Charter (sec. 1, art. 9).<ref name="charter">{{usurped|1=[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060720174729/http://www.therussiasite.org/legal/laws/CIScharter.html CIS Charter]}}, 22 January 1993 ('''unofficial English translation''').</ref>

=== Commonwealth of Independent States ===
{{main|Commonwealth of Independent States}}
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) consists of 10 former [[Soviet Republics]] that differ in their membership statuses. As of December 2024, 9 countries have ratified the CIS charter and are full CIS members (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), one country is an associate member (Turkmenistan), and one country left the organization (Georgia in 2009). Ukraine is a founding state of the CIS, but never became a full member state since it never ratified the CIS Charter.  In 2014, Ukraine had declined its CIS chairmanship and considered withdrawal from the organization.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-cis-idUSBREA2I17F20140319 |title=Ukraine Says It Could Quit Russia-Led Bloc |agency=Reuters |date=19 March 2014 |work=Reuters |access-date=14 January 2015}}</ref>

In 1994, the CIS countries agreed to create a free trade area, but the agreements were never signed. In 2011, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine signed a free trade agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/cis_putin_free-trade_zone/24364420.html |title=Most CIS Countries Sign Up To Free-Trade Zone |author=RFE/RL |date=19 October 2011 |publisher=RFE/RL |access-date=14 January 2015}}</ref> Uzbekistan joined the free trade area in 2013.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

=== Eurasian Economic Community ===
[[File:Commonwealth of Independent States EAEC vs GUAM.svg|upright=0.9|thumb|{{legend|#FFFFD0|EAEC members}}{{legend|#F8A20C|GUAM members}}{{legend|#3CE67B|Other CIS members}}]]
{{main|Eurasian Economic Community}}
The Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC), formerly the CIS Customs Union, was established by [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], and [[Tajikistan]]. [[Ukraine]] and [[Moldova]] had observer status in the community; however, Ukraine declared its desire not to become a full member state. Because having common borders with the rest of the community was a prerequisite for full membership, Moldova was barred from seeking it. [[Uzbekistan]] joined in 2006 during the process of merging with the [[Central Asian Cooperation Organization]] but suspended its membership in 2008.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

On 10 October 2014, after a session of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Community in [[Minsk]], member states signed an agreement to terminate the organization which took effect 1 January 2015 with the launch of the [[Eurasian Economic Union]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

=== Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union ===
[[File:Europe economical bloc.PNG|thumb|right|upright=2.05|Economical integration [[trade bloc|blocs]] in Post-Soviet area: [[EU]], [[EFTA]], [[CEFTA]] and [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union]]]]
{{main|Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union}}
[[Russia]], [[Belarus]], and [[Kazakhstan]] created a customs union that entered into force in July 2010. [[Ukraine]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], and [[Tajikistan]] indicated interest in joining at the time.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} Russia has been eager for [[Armenia]], [[Moldova]], and Ukraine to join the custom union instead of the [[European Union]], and the Moldovan break-away state of [[Transnistria]] has supported this. In 2013, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia announced plans to seek membership, but division over the issue in Ukraine led to the [[Revolution of Dignity]] after the Ukrainian government backed out of an EU [[Eastern Partnership]] in favor of the union. In 2014, voters in the Moldovan autonomous region of [[Gagauzia]] rejected closer ties to the EU in favor of the union.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-gagauz-referendum-counting/25251251.html|title=Gagauzia Voters Reject Closer EU Ties For Moldova|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=4 February 2014 |access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref>

On 1 January 2012, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus established the Single Economic Space to ensure the effective functioning of a single market for goods, services, capital, and labour, and to establish coherent industrial, transport, energy, and agricultural policies.<ref name="Glazyev">[http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/ukraines_association_with_eu_rules_out_participation_in_customs_union___putin_aide_305195 Ukraine cannot get observer status at Eurasian Econ Union due to Association Agreement with EU, Russia], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (14 June 2013)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cistranfinance.com/news/belarus-eases-current-account-deficit-with-customs-union-common-economic-space/360/ |title=Belarus eases current account deficit with Customs Union, Common Economic Space |last1=Barron |first1=Lisa |publisher=Cistran Finance |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013}}</ref> The agreement included a [[plan|roadmap]] for future integration and established the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]] (modelled on the [[European Commission]]).<ref name="tut.by">{{cite news |script-title=ru:Евразийские комиссары получат статус федеральных министров |url=http://news.tut.by/politics/259307.html |newspaper=[[Tut.By]] |language=ru |date=17 November 2011 |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009110040/https://news.tut.by/politics/259307.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Eurasian Economic Commission serves as the regulatory agency for the Eurasian Customs Union, the Single Economic Space, and the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref name="Glazyev"/>

=== Eurasian Economic Union ===
[[File:CIS-Eurasian Economic Union.png|upright=0.9|thumb|{{legend|#FFFFD0|EAEU members}}{{legend|#3CE67B|Acceding EAEU Members}}{{legend|#FFD0D0|Other CIS Members}}]]
{{Main|Eurasian Economic Union|Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union}}
The [[Eurasian Economic Union]] is an [[economic union]] of post-Soviet states. The treaty aiming for the establishment of the EAEU was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Russia]], and came into force on 1 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://economy.gov.ru/wps/wcm/connect/bb840de1-a37b-4e00-8c62-6e13a59485d1/%D0%94%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0+%D0%BE+%D0%95%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC+%D1%8D%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC+%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%8E%D0%B7%D0%B5.docx?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=bb840de1-a37b-4e00-8c62-6e13a59485d1 |title=Договор о Евразийском экономическом союзе |access-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201013526/http://economy.gov.ru/wps/wcm/connect/bb840de1-a37b-4e00-8c62-6e13a59485d1/%D0%94%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0+%D0%BE+%D0%95%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC+%D1%8D%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC+%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%8E%D0%B7%D0%B5.docx?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=bb840de1-a37b-4e00-8c62-6e13a59485d1 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Treaties aiming for [[Armenia]]'s and [[Kyrgyzstan]]'s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union were signed on 9 October 2014 and 23 December respectively. Armenia's accession treaty came into force on 2 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.customs-code.ru/pravovbaza/18429-dogovor-arm|title=ДОГОВОР О ПРИСОЕДИНЕНИИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ АРМЕНИЯ К ДОГОВОРУ О ЕВРАЗИЙСКОМ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОМ СОЮЗЕ ОТ 29 МАЯ 2014 ГОДА (Минск, 10 октября 2014 года)|author=Дмитрий|work=customs-code.ru|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011034/http://www.customs-code.ru/pravovbaza/18429-dogovor-arm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kyrgyzstan ratified its accession's treaty in May 2015, and it came into force in August 2015.<ref name=WB>{{cite news|title=Kyrgyzstan, Armenia officially enter Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/151539/kyrgyzstan-armenia-officially-enter-eurasian-economic-union|access-date=26 December 2014|publisher=World Bulletin|date=24 December 2014|quote=Signed agreement opens up new possibilities for Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, starting from 1st January 2015}}</ref><ref name=LN>{{cite news|title=Putin said the accession of Kyrgyzstan to the EAEC|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/147572|access-date=26 December 2014|publisher=Life News|date=23 December 2014|language=ru|quote=Kyrgyzstan is among the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEC). Kyrgyzstan will participate in the governing bodies of the EAEC since the start of the Union – from 1 January 2015.}}</ref><ref name=DW>{{cite news|title=EAEC: stillborn union?|url=http://www.dw.de/%D0%B5%D0%B0%D1%8D%D1%81-%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%8E%D0%B7/a-18148811|access-date=26 December 2014|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=ru|quote=Eurasian Economic Union added December 23 Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.}}</ref><ref name=FT>{{cite news|last1=Farchy|first1=Jack|title=Eurasian unity under strain even as bloc expands|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b08c2e4e-8ab2-11e4-8e24-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3MvV5Evn1|access-date=26 December 2014|newspaper=The Financial Times|date=23 December 2014|quote=Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday a signed a treaty to join the Eurasian Economic Union, expanding the membership of Moscow-led project to five even as its unity is strained by the market turmoil gripping Russia.}}</ref><ref name=TT>{{cite news|title=Eurasian Economic Union to Launch on January 1|url=http://www.thetrumpet.com/article/12307.19.0.0/eurasian-economic-union-to-launch-on-january-1|access-date=26 December 2014|publisher=The Trumpet|date=24 December 2014|quote=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan agreed to a January 1 inauguration.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Атамбаев утвердил присоединение Киргизии к ЕАЭС |url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/442855 |website=www.interfax.ru |access-date=20 December 2023}}</ref> [[Moldova]] and [[Tajikistan]] are prospective members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tajikistan Expresses Readiness to Become Customs Union (...) |url=http://gca.satrapia.com/+tajikistan-expresses-readiness-to-become-customs-union-member+ |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=gca.satrapia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2022 |title=SONDAJ Cum văd locuitorii din Republica Moldova unirea cu România |url=https://adevarul.ro/politica/sondaj-cum-vad-locuitorii-din-republica-moldova-2148534.html |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=adevarul.ro |language=ro}}</ref>

=== Collective Security Treaty Organization ===
[[File:Commonwealth of Independent States CSTO vs GUAM.svg|upright=0.9|thumb|{{legend|#FFFFD0|CSTO members}}{{legend|#F8A20C|GUAM members}}{{legend|#3CE67B|Other CIS members}}]]
{{main|Collective Security Treaty Organization}}
Seven CIS member states, namely [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Uzbekistan]] and [[Armenia]], have enhanced their military cooperation, establishing the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), this being an expansion of the previous Collective Security Treaty (CST). [[Uzbekistan]] which (alongside Georgia and Azerbaijan) withdrew from the CST in 1999, joined GUAM. Then in 2005, it withdrew from GUAM and joined the CSTO in 2006. On 28 June 2012, Uzbekistan suspended its membership in the CSTO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Uzbekistan Suspends Its Membership in CSTO|url=http://www.satrapia.com/news/article/uzbekistan-suspends-its-membership-in-csto/|access-date=29 June 2012|newspaper=The Gazette of Central Asia|date=29 June 2012}}</ref>

=== North Atlantic Treaty Organization ===
{{main|North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}
[[File:Nato-csto.svg|thumb|right|upright=2.75|[[NATO]]/CSTO]]
Three former Soviet states are members of NATO: [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]]. Georgia, where both public opinion and the ruling government favor NATO membership, is in the [[Intensified Dialogue]] program with NATO. Ukraine also declared joining NATO as its geopolitical goal once again in 2017 (the first time being right after the [[Orange Revolution]] and in the beginning of presidency of [[Viktor Yushchenko]]), after the presidency of [[Viktor Yanukovych]], during which the government officially declared non-alignment status and ceased to seek NATO membership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2017/06/8/7146297/|title=Рада зробила пріоритетом для України вступ до НАТО|last=Kizilov|first=Yevhen|date=8 June 2017|newspaper=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]|access-date=14 February 2018|language=uk|trans-title=Verkhovna Rada made joining NATO a priority for Ukraine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/2333875-poroshenko-eu-nato-membership-remains-ukraines-strategic-goal-not-prospect-of-2018.html|title=Poroshenko: EU, NATO membership remains Ukraine's strategic goal, not prospect of 2018|date=6 January 2018|publisher=[[UNIAN]]|access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>

Other states in the [[Partnership for Peace]] and [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]] program include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

=== GUAM ===
{{main|GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development}}
Four member states, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], established the GUAM group that was largely seen as intending to counter Russian dominance in the region. Notably, these four nations do not participate in any of the other regional organizations that sprang up in the region since the dissolution of the Soviet Union (other than the CIS).

=== Union State ===
[[File:Commonwealth of Independent States Union of Russia and Belarus.svg|upright=0.9|thumb|{{legend|#FFFFD0|Members of the Union}}{{legend|#3CE67B|CIS members who have shown interest in becoming members of the Union}}{{legend|#FFD0D0|Other CIS members}}]]
{{main|Union State}}
The Union State of Russia and Belarus was originally formed on 2 April 1996 under the name ''Commonwealth of Russia and Belarus'' before being tightened further on 8 December 1999. It was initiated by the president of Belarus, [[Alexander Lukashenko]]. On paper, the Union of Russia and Belarus intends further integration, beyond the scope of mere cooperation, including the introduction of the [[Russian rouble|rouble]] as a common currency.

== Other regional organizations ==

=== Economic Cooperation Organization ===
{{main|Economic Cooperation Organization}}
[[File:ECO CDC Map.png|upright=0.9|right|thumb|
{{legend|#eaa500|Community of Democratic Choice}}
{{legend|#399e39|Economic Cooperation Organization}}
]]

The Economic Cooperation Organization was originally formed in 1985 by [[Turkey]], [[Iran]] and [[Pakistan]] but in 1992 the organization was expanded to include [[Afghanistan]] and the six primarily Muslim former Soviet republics: [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]].

===Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations===
{{main|Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations}}
The post-Soviet [[disputed states]] of [[Abkhazia]], [[South Ossetia]] and [[Transnistria]] are all members of the [[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]] which aims to forge closer integration.

=== Community of Democratic Choice ===
{{main|Community of Democratic Choice}}
The Community of Democratic Choice (CDC) was formed in December 2005 at the primary instigation of Ukraine and Georgia, and composed of six post-Soviet states (Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and three other countries of Eastern and Central Europe ([[Slovenia]], [[Romania]] and [[North Macedonia]]). The [[Black Sea Forum]] (BSF) is a closely related organization. Observer countries include [[Armenia]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Poland]].

Just like GUAM before it, this forum is largely seen as intending to counteract Russian influence in the area. This is the only international forum centered in the post-Soviet space in which the Baltic countries also participate. In addition, the other three post-Soviet states in it are all members of GUAM.

=== Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ===
{{main|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation}}
[[File:SCO (orthographic projection).svg|upright=0.9|right|thumb|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation:
{{legend|Green|Member state}}
{{legend|#000081|Observer state}}
{{legend|Purple|Dialogue partner}}
{{legend|#00a0aa|Applicants for observer status}}
]]
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), is composed of China and five post-Soviet states, namely Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization was founded in 2001, though its predecessor, the Shanghai Five grouping, has existed since 1996. Its aims revolve around security-related issues such as border
demarcation, terrorism and energy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2015/545718/EPRS_ATA(2015)545718_REV1_EN.pdf|title=Regional organisations in the post-Soviet space|website=Europarl1.europa.eu|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

===Economic cooperation organizations===
* [[Central European Free Trade Agreement]] (CEFTA) with Moldova (it includes also non post-Soviet countries of the former Yugoslavia; previously, also included other Central European countries that left CEFTA when joining the European Union; CEFTA plays a role in Central Europe similar to what [[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA) provides in Western Europe for non EU-members; this alliance an economical organization with strong cooperation with the European Union, for countries that do not want to participate in EurAsEC centered on Russia but that are seeking alliances to the West); even if [[Moldova]] is the only CEFTA country that is still within a weakening CIS, it no longer participates to the CSTO for most of the common security policy (but cannot join the EU because of incompatibility with WEU stability rules and the unsolved problem of [[Transnistria]]) but can still benefit from the Free Trade Area notably with Romania and Bulgaria (in the EU).
* [[Black Sea Economic Cooperation]] (BSEC) with Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey, Albania, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Armenia (an economic organisation closely related to the SCO but more focused regionally to include also Armenia; it also aims for the harmonious development of democracy for increasing the commerce in South-East Europe and includes some EU members, so it cannot be a regional free-trade union).
* The [[European Union]] (EU) with the three Baltic countries that were the first ones to declare independence from the former USSR have never joined CIS after the collapse of USSR (it includes also now some post-communist countries in [[Central Europe]], that have left CEFTA when entering the EU : Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia).

=== Political integration and security alliances ===
* [[Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe]] (SPforSEE) with Moldova (similar in structure to CEFTA, but does not focus on economy but security, for those countries that are not NATO members); this organization largely cooperates with NATO, and is related to the group of observers at [[Western European Union]] (WEU).
* The [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO), for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Central European countries that have also joined the EU (the EU membership includes also WEU membership because they follow the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]] and [[European Security and Defence Policy]] policies shared now by the EU, the WEU and all European NATO members).
* The other remaining countries are those part of the former Yugoslavia, but their recent conflict and political tensions still does not allow them to cooperate efficiently for their political integration and for their mutual security; in addition, they still do not have full sovereignty in this domain (some of them are still under surveillance by EU or NATO, as mandated by UNO). They still need to find an internal stability and they can collaborate economically with the help of other organizations focusing on economy or political cooperation and development. However, a more limited cooperation for security is possible through their membership to the larger [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE).
* The only exception is Belarus (whose post-soviet democratic transition did not occur) that still rejects political integration, and all security alliances with NATO, OSCE, WEU or other countries in Europe other than Russia (which the process of reintegration of Belarus has been tightened in almost all domains).

====Organizations in other domains====
* [[Southeast European Cooperation Process]] (SEECP) with Moldova (similar to SPforSEE, but focuses on political integration than cooperation for security, and to CEFTA but does not focus on trade).
* [[Southeast European Cooperative Initiative]] (SECI) with Moldova (closely related to SEECP).
* [[Central European Initiative]] (CEI) with Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus (and also Central and South-Western European countries in the European Union; it aims at helping Eastern European countries to reach the EU standards and cooperate politically and find a better economic development and a strong, working but more democratic legal system); it is the only regional organization where Belarus is still a member (but the political cooperation with Belarus is almost stalled, as it is the only country of the former Communist bloc country that balances in favor of stronger cooperation with Russia and against integration with EU and NATO; however, Belarus remains isolated and still does not cooperate too in the SCO group led by Russia and China).
* [[Black Sea Forum for Partnership and Dialogue]] (BSF) with Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Armenia (also non post-soviet countries that are NATO members, interested in their maintaining political stability and avoiding conflicts in the region: Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, whose first two are also now EU and CEI members, using EU rules for their political development); however, this organization does not focus on helping countries to join the EU, but reaching common standards and good governance and internal stability and democracy like in the CEI.{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}
* [[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]]

===Other organizations===
Apart from above, the former Soviet republics also hold membership in a number of multinational organizations such as:
<!-- (???) [[Baltic Basketball League]]-->
* [[FIBA]]
* [[FIFA]]
* [[International Ice Hockey Federation]]
* [[International Olympic Committee]]
* [[International Paralympic Committee]]
* [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia)
* [[UNESCO]]
* [[World Health Organization]]
* [[World Trade Organization]]

==Politics==
Regarding [[political freedom]] in the former Soviet republics, [[Freedom House]]'s 2021 report listed the following:
* [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]] as "free" countries.
* [[Armenia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Moldova]] and [[Ukraine]] were listed as "partly free".
* [[Azerbaijan]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Russia]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]] were listed as "not free".

Similarly, the [[Press Freedom Index]] published by [[Reporters Without Borders]] in 2022 recorded the following as regards [[press freedom]]:<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 World Press Freedom Index {{!}} Reporters Without Borders|url=https://rsf.org/en/ranking|access-date=12 June 2021|website=Rsf.org|date=30 January 2013 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Estonia]] – "Good situation"
* [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Moldova]] – "Satisfactory situation"
* [[Armenia]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Ukraine]] – "Problematic situation"
* [[Kazakhstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Uzbekistan]] – "Difficult situation"
* [[Azerbaijan]], [[Belarus]], [[Russia]], [[Turkmenistan]] – "Very serious situation"

It has been remarked that several post-Soviet states did not change leadership for decades since their independence, such as [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] in Kazakhstan until his surprise resignation in 2019,<ref>{{cite web|date=16 March 2020|title=Managed leadership succession in Kazakhstan: A model for gradual departure?|url=https://www.fiia.fi/julkaisu/managed-leadership-succession-in-kazakhstan|access-date=10 August 2021|website=Fiia.fi|language=fi}}</ref> and [[Islam Karimov]] in Uzbekistan, until his death in September 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Higgins|first=Andrew|date=2 April 2018|title=As Authoritarianism Spreads, Uzbekistan Goes the Other Way|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/asia/uzbekistan-reform.html|access-date=10 August 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> All of these had originally more limited terms but through decrees or referendums prolonged their stay in office (a practice also followed by Presidents [[Alexander Lukashenko]] of Belarus and [[Emomali Rahmon]] of Tajikistan). [[Askar Akayev]] of [[Kyrgyzstan]] had likewise served as [[President of Kyrgyzstan|President]] since its independence until he was forced to resign as a result of the [[Kyrgyz revolution of 2005]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kyrgyzstan: between democratisation and authoritarianism|url=http://www.gis-reseau-asie.org/en/kyrgyzstan-between-democratisation-and-authoritarianism|access-date=10 August 2021|website=Gis-reseau-asie.org|language=en|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810140059/http://www.gis-reseau-asie.org/en/kyrgyzstan-between-democratisation-and-authoritarianism|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Saparmurat Niyazov]] in Turkmenistan ruled from independence until his death in 2006, creating a [[personality cult]] around himself.<ref>{{cite web|last=agencies|first=Staff and|date=21 December 2006|title=The personality cult of Turkmenbashi|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/dec/21/1|access-date=10 August 2021|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref> His successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has maintained a personality cult of his own that has replaced the worshipping of Niyazov.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sattarov|first=Rafael|title=Turkmen Leader's Personality Cult Goes Viral|url=https://carnegie.ru/commentary/77733|access-date=10 August 2021|website=Carnegie.ru|language=en}}</ref>

The issue of dynastical succession has been another element affecting the politics of some post-Soviet States. [[Heydar Aliyev]], after constructing an [[Heydar Aliyev's cult of personality|extensive and ongoing cult of personality]], handed the Presidency of Azerbaijan to his son, [[Ilham Aliyev]]. Theories about the children of other leaders in Central Asia being groomed for succession abound.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forumkz.addr.com/2004en/en_forum_09_08_04.htm |title=Kazakhstan flirts with dynastic succession Dariga Nazarbayeva has led a charmed life. / Kazakhstan's Democratic Forces Forum |access-date=5 April 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312151938/http://forumkz.addr.com/2004en/en_forum_09_08_04.htm |archive-date=12 March 2005 }}</ref> The participation of Akayev's son and daughter in the [[2005 Kyrgyz parliamentary elections]] boosted fears of dynastic succession being used in Kyrgyzstan as well, and may have contributed to the anti-Akayev climate that led to his overthrow.

===Post-Soviet conflicts===
{{Post-Soviet Conflicts}}
{{See also|Post-Soviet conflicts}}

Economic, political, national, military and social problems have all been factors in [[separatism]] in the post-Soviet space. In many cases, problems due to factors such as ethnic divisions existed before the fall of the Soviet Union, and upon the fall of the union were brought into the open.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colorado.edu/ibs/pec/johno/pub/PsgeTMR.pdf|title=National Construction, Territorial Separatism and Post-Soviet Geopolitics: The Example of the Transdniester Moldovan Republic|website=Colorado.edu|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref> Such territories and resulting military conflicts have so far been:

====Current self-declared states====
{| class="sortable wikitable"  style="text-align:right; width:100%;"
|-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Region
!rowspan=2|Country name
!rowspan=2|{{longitem|Coat of arms}}
!rowspan=2|Flag
!rowspan=2|Capital
!rowspan=2|Independence
!rowspan=2|Recognition
!colspan=2|Area<ref name="auto1"/>
!rowspan=2|Population
!colspan=2|Density
|-
!km<sup>2</sup>
!mi<sup>2</sup>
!p/km<sup>2</sup>
!p/mi<sup>2</sup>
|-
|rowspan=1 style="background:#ffc600" |
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|[[Eastern Europe]]
|align=center|'''[[Transnistria]]'''<br/>{{small|(Transnistrian Moldavian Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Transnistria.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|[[File:Flag of Transnistria (state).svg|75x75px]]
|align=center|[[Tiraspol]]
|align=center|2 September 1990<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Moldavian SSR}})}}
| rowspan="1"  style="text-align:center; background:#ececec; color:#2c2c2c;"|''Not recognised''
|{{convert|4,163|km2|0|disp=table}}
|306,000
|{{convert|{{#expr: 306000/4163 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background:#f18cbf" |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[South Caucasus]]
|align=center|'''[[South Ossetia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of South Ossetia –<br/>the State of Alania)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of South Ossetia.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|South Ossetia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Tskhinvali|Tskhinval]]
|align=center|29 May 1992<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Georgia (country)|name=Georgia|1990}})}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Limited
|{{convert|3,900|km2|0|disp=table}}
|53,532
|{{convert|{{#expr: 53532/3900 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Abkhazia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Abkhazia)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Abkhazia.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Abkhazia|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Sukhumi]]
|align=center|23 July 1992<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Georgia (country)|name=Georgia|1990}})}}
|{{convert|8,660|km2|0|disp=table}}
|254,246
|{{convert|{{#expr: 254246/8660 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|}
* {{flag|Transnistria|state}}, which is ''de facto'' independent from Moldova. It declared independence in 1990, due to its majority Russian-speaking population fearing union with [[Romania]]. A ceasefire between Transnistrian forces and Moldovan forces has been in place since 1992, enforced by the presence of Russian forces in Transnistria.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3641826.stm | work=BBC News | title=Trans-Dniester profile | date=26 December 2011}}</ref>
* {{flag|South Ossetia}}, which is ''de facto'' independent from Georgia. The region declared its intent to seek independence in 1990, leading to a conflict which led to a ceasefire in 1992. Separatism became powerful after the election of Georgian President [[Mikhail Saakashvili]] in 2004, and a referendum in 2006 was in favour of declaring independence. The [[Russia–Georgia war|2008 war]] between Georgian forces and the separatist and Russian forces led to Russia's recognition of South Ossetia's independence.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3797729.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: South Ossetia | date=25 April 2012}}</ref>
* {{flag|Abkhazia}}, which is ''de facto'' independent from Georgia. Tensions in the area broke out when Georgia sent in troops in 1992 to control groups who wanted separation. The troops and most of the Georgian and Mingrelian speaking population were forced out in 1993, and the region declared independence in 1999. The [[Russia–Georgia war|2008 war]] between Georgian forces and the separatist and Russian forces led to Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's independence.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3261059.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: Abkhazia | date=12 March 2012}}</ref>

====Former self-declared states====
{| class="sortable wikitable"  style="text-align:right; width:100%;"
|-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2|Region
!rowspan=2|Country name
!rowspan=2|{{longitem|Coat of arms}}
!rowspan=2|Flag
!rowspan=2|Capital
!rowspan=2|Independence
!rowspan=2|Fate
!colspan=2|Area<ref name="auto1"/>
!rowspan=2|Population
!colspan=2|Density
|-
!km<sup>2</sup>
!mi<sup>2</sup>
!p/km<sup>2</sup>
!p/mi<sup>2</sup>
|-
| rowspan="5" style="background:#ffc600" |
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" |[[Eastern Europe]]
|align=center|'''[[Gagauz Republic|Gagauzia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Gagauz Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Gagauzia.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Gagauz people.svg|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Comrat]]
|align=center|19 August 1990<br/>{{small|(from {{flagicon image|Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1990).svg}}&nbsp;[[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]])}}
|align=center|{{small|''Reincorporated into Moldova with<br/>[[Gagauzia|an autonomous status]] in 1995''}}
|{{convert|1848|km2|0|disp=table}}
|134,132
|{{convert|{{#expr: 134132/1848 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Republic of Crimea (Russia)|Crimea]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Crimea)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of Crimea.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Crimea|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Simferopol]]
|align=center|11 March 2014<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Ukraine}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Occupied by Russia before an illegal referendum and annexation 18 March 2014''}}
|{{convert|26100|km2|0|disp=table}}
|1,913,731
|{{convert|{{#expr: 1913731/26100 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]]'''<br/>{{small|(Donetsk People's Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of Arms of the Donetsk People's Republic.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Donetsk People's Republic|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Donetsk]]
|align=center|12 May 2014<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Ukraine}})}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|{{small|''Partly occupied by Russia before sham referendums and declared "annexation" in September 2022''}}
|{{convert|7853|km2|0|disp=table}}
|2,302,444
|{{convert|{{#expr: 2302444/7853 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]]'''<br/>{{small|(Luhansk People's Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:COA LPR oct 2014.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Luhansk People's Republic|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Luhansk]]
|align=center|12 May 2014<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Ukraine}})}}
|{{convert|8377|km2|0|disp=table}}
|1,464,039
|{{convert|{{#expr: 1464039/8377 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Tatarstan#Present-day|Tatarstan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Tatarstan)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of Arms of Tatarstan.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Tatarstan|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Kazan]]
|align=center|21 March 1992<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Russia|1991}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Reincorporated into Russia<br/>after peaceful negotiations in 1994''}} 
|{{convert|68000|km2|0|disp=table}}
|3,786,488
|{{convert|{{#expr: 3786488/68000 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|rowspan=4 style="background:#f18cbf" |
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[South Caucasus]]
|align=center|'''[[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Abkhazia]]'''<br/>{{small|(Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR (1978–1992).svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Abkhaz ASSR|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Sukhumi]]
|align=center|25 August 1990<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Georgian SSR}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Renamed to the Republic of Abkhazia in 23 July 1992''}}
|{{convert|8600|km2|0|disp=table}}
|525,061
|{{convert|{{#expr: 525061/8600 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]]'''<br/>{{small|(Republic of Artsakh)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of arms of Artsakh.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Artsakh|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Stepanakert]]
|align=center|6 January 1992<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Azerbaijan}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Disestablished in January 2024''}}
|{{convert|3,000|km2|0|disp=table}}
|120,000
|{{convert|{{#expr: 150932/11458 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Chechnya]]'''<br/>{{small|(Chechen Republic of Ichkeria)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coat of Arms of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagdeco|Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Grozny]]
|align=center|1 November 1991<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Russian SFSR|name=Russian SFSR}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Disestablished in 2000<br/>after the [[Second Chechen War]]''}}
|{{convert|15300|km2|0|disp=table}}
|1,103,686
|{{convert|{{#expr: 1103686/15300 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|-
|align=center|'''[[Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic|Talysh-Mughan]]'''<br/>{{small|(Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic)}}
|align=center|[[File:Coats of arms of None.svg|60x60px]]
|align=center|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Talysh.svg|size=75px|text=none}}
|align=center|[[Lankaran]]
|align=center|21 June 1993<br/>{{small|(from {{flag|Azerbaijan}})}}
|align=center|{{small|''Reincorporated into Azerbaijan in August 1993''}}
|{{convert|7465|km2|0|disp=table}}
|960,000
|{{convert|{{#expr: 960000/7465 round 2}}|/km2|1|disp=table}}
|}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Gagauz people.svg}} [[Gagauz Republic]], declared itself the "Gagauz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic" within Moldova on 12 November 1989, and the Gagauz Republic, separate from Moldova but still within the [[Soviet Union]], on 19 August 1990; reintegrated into Moldova as [[Gagauzia|an autonomous region]] through a law passed on 23 December 1994 which entered into force on 14 January 1995.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Territorial autonomy in Gagauzia|first1=Jeff|last1=Chinn|first2=Steven|last2=Roper|journal=[[Nationalities Papers]]|volume=26|number=1|year=1998|quote=But on 19 August 1990, the Gagauz elite, led by President Stepan Topal and Supreme Soviet Chairperson Mihail Kendighelean, quickly took the next step, declaring Gagauzia to be independent of Moldova and subject only to central Soviet authority|doi=10.1080/00905999808408552|pages=87–101|s2cid=154359743 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Neukirch |first=Claus |url=http://leader.viitorul.org/public/513/en/Conflicttransform%20Neukirch.pdf |title=Minority Governance in Europe |date=2002 |publisher=Local Government and Public Service Initiative, Open Society Institute |isbn=9639419400 |editor-last=Gal |editor-first=Kinga |location=Budapest |pages=105–123 |chapter=Autonomy And Conflict Transformation: The Case Of The Gagauz Territorial Autonomy In The Republic Of Moldova |quote=On 12 November 1989, a "Gagauz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic" was proclaimed by an assembly in Comrat ... In reaction to the Moldovan declaration of sovereignty, on 19 August 1990 the Gagauz leadership proclaimed a "Gagauz Soviet Socialist Republic", which would be independent from Moldova, but part of the Soviet Union ... on 23 December 1994 the Moldovan Parliament passed the "Law on the Special Juridical Status of Gagauzia (Gagauz-Yeri)" |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014231818/http://leader.viitorul.org/public/513/en/Conflicttransform%20Neukirch.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Opportunity structures and group building processes: An institutional analysis of the secession processes in Pridnestrovie and Gagauzia between 1989 and 1991|journal=Soviet and Communist Studies|first=Dareg|last=Zabarah|year=2012|volume=45|number=1–2|quote=According to the first point of its declaration, the Gagauz Republic "is a sovereign, socialist, soviet and multinational state}}</ref>
* {{flag|Tatarstan}}, declared itself to be a sovereign state after a [[1992 Tatarstani sovereignty referendum|referendum on 21 March 1992]]. Negotiations with Russia led to the signing of a treaty in 1994 which ended Tatarstan's de facto independence, but reserved significant autonomy for the Tatarstan government. In 2002 a new constitution was enacted for Tatarstan which removed the prior constitution's declaration that Tatarstan was a sovereign state.
* {{flag|Republic of Crimea (country)|name=Republic of Crimea}}. The entire Crimean Peninsula has been outside the control of Ukrainian authorities since late February 2014, when Russian special forces, some disguised as "armed self-defence forces" [[Russian occupation of Crimea|occupied the peninsula]] and seized the local parliament.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Kristina |last1=Zakurdaeva|first2=Mikhail |last2=Maglov|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-how-eu-firms-sidestepping-sanctions-making-money-on-peninsula/30303687.html|title=The Crimea Circumvention: How EU Firms Are Sidestepping Sanctions And Making Money On The Peninsula|date=3 December 2019|access-date=15 November 2020|publisher=[[Current Time TV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Carl Schreck|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/from-not-us-to-why-hide-it-how-russia-denied-its-crimea-invasion-then-admitted-it/29791806.html|title=From 'Not Us' To 'Why Hide It?': How Russia Denied Its Crimea Invasion, Then Admitted It|date=26 February 2019|access-date=15 November 2020|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref><ref name="galeotti">{{cite book |last=Galeotti |first=Mark |title=Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=9781472833440 |series=Elite 228 |location=Oxford |pages=11–12}}</ref>{{rp|11}} In March 2014, a [[2014 Crimean referendum|popular referendum]] in favor of [[Accession of Crimea to the Russian Federation|accession to Russia]] was held in Crimea and [[Sevastopol]], although Ukraine<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-pm-rejects-crimea-referendum-vows-to-defend-country-1.2561973|title=Ukraine PM rejects Crimea referendum, vows to defend country|date=6 March 2014|access-date=6 August 2014|publisher=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> and most of the international community refused to recognize the vote. The next day, the Republic of Crimea declared independence, and within days Russia absorbed the peninsula. Ukraine continues to claim Crimea as an integral part of its territory.
* {{flag|Chechen Republic of Ichkeria}}, where [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]] declared independence from Russia in 1991, leading to a violent war between local separatist forces and the Russian army. Russia first [[First Chechen War|invaded in 1994]], withdrawing after a deal for increased autonomy was granted in 1996. Tensions have continued in the years since then, and the conflict has spilled over into neighbouring regions such as [[Dagestan]], [[Ingushetia]] and [[North Ossetia–Alania]]. Russia claims that the situation in Chechnya has normalised.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/2565049.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: Chechnya | date=22 November 2011}}</ref>
* {{flag|Donetsk People's Republic}} and {{flag|Luhansk People's Republic}}, states which declared independence from [[Ukraine]] in 2014. The two breakaway states were recognized by [[Russia]] on 21 February 2022, followed by [[North Korea]] and [[Syria]], and they were subsequently [[Annexation of southeastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation|annexed]] by Russia on 4 October of that year after a [[2022 annexation referendums in Russian-occupied Ukraine|controversial referendum]] that were recognized as sham referendums.
* {{flag|Republic of Artsakh}}, which declared independence from Azerbaijan. Ethnic conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis began in 1988, and expanded into [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War|a war]] which lasted until a ceasefire in 1994. Sporadic attempts at negotiating a final peace and sporadic bursts of violence have continued up until September 2023 when [[2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh|Azerbaijan launched another military offensive]]. The government of Artsakh agreed to disarm and enter talks with Azerbaijan, prompting a [[Flight of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians|flight of ethnic Armenians from the area]]. The president of Artsakh also signed a decree calling for the republic to dissolve itself by 1 January 2024.<ref name="Reuters-2023-09-28">{{cite web |date=28 September 2023 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will cease to exist from Jan 1 2024 – Nagorno-Karabakh authorities |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nagorno-karabakh-republic-will-cease-exist-jan-1-2024-nagorno-karabakh-2023-09-28/ |access-date=28 September 2023 |publisher=Reuters |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928103245/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nagorno-karabakh-republic-will-cease-exist-jan-1-2024-nagorno-karabakh-2023-09-28/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nagorno-Karabakh almost empty as most of population flees to Armenia |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20230930-nagorno-karabakh-almost-empty-as-most-of-population-flees-to-armenia |date=30 September 2023 |publisher=Radio France Internationale |access-date=30 September 2023 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002020258/https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20230930-nagorno-karabakh-almost-empty-as-most-of-population-flees-to-armenia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/3658938.stm | work=BBC News | title=Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh | date=10 January 2012}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Talysh.svg|size=23x15px|text=none}} [[Talysh-Mughan Autonomous Republic|Talysh-Mughan]], declared autonomy within Azerbaijan, that lasted from June to August 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2733283.stm|title=Azerbaijan in a stir over political prisoner|date=6 February 2003|access-date=21 February 2022|website=BBC News}}</ref>

===Civil wars===
{{See also|Post-Soviet conflicts}}
Civil wars unrelated to separatist movements have occurred twice in the region:
* The [[Georgian Civil War]] between the forces of [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]] and [[Eduard Shevardnadze]]. The war ended after Russian forces intervened in support of Shevardnadze's government, which in turn agreed to join the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]].
* The [[Tajikistani Civil War]] that lasted between 1992 and 1997.

===Colour revolutions===
Since 2003, a number of (largely) peaceful "[[colour revolution]]s" have happened in some post-Soviet states after disputed elections, with popular protests bringing into power the former opposition.
* The [[Rose Revolution]] in Georgia, leading to the resignation of [[Eduard Shevardnadze]]
* The [[Orange Revolution]] in Ukraine, bringing into power [[Viktor Yushchenko]] and toppling the pro-Russian leader [[Viktor Yanukovych]]
* The [[Tulip Revolution]] in Kyrgyzstan, leading to the resignation of [[Askar Akayev]]
* The [[2018 Armenian Velvet Revolution|Velvet Revolution]] in Armenia, leading to the resignation of [[Serzh Sargsyan]]

===Russian population in post-Soviet states===
{{main|Russians in Ukraine|Russians in Kazakhstan|Russians in Latvia|Russians in Estonia|Russians in Lithuania|Russians in Georgia|Russians in Armenia|Russians in Azerbaijan|Russians in Moldova}}
There is a significant [[Russophone]] population in most of the post-Soviet states, whose political position as an [[ethnic minority]] varies from country to country.<ref>Robert Greenall, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4420922.stm Russians left behind in Central Asia], [[BBC News]], 23 November 2005.</ref> While Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, in addition to Russia, have kept [[Russian language|Russian]] as an official language, the language lost its status in other post-Soviet states after the end of the Soviet Union. It maintains semi-official status in all CIS member states, because it is the organisation's official working language, but in the three Baltic states, the Russian language is not recognized in any official capacity. Georgia, since its departure from the CIS in 2009, has begun operating its government almost exclusively in the Georgian language.

===Religion===
While the Soviet system placed severe restrictions on religious intellectual life, traditions continued to survive. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Islamic movements have emerged alongside ethnic and secular ones. Vitaly Naumkin gives the following assessment: "Throughout the time of change, Islam has served as a symbol of identity, a force for mobilization, and a pressure for democracy. This is one of the few social disasters that the church has survived, in which it was not the cause. But if successful politically, it faces economic challenges beyond its grasp."<ref>{{Cite journal
 | last = Naumkin
 | first = Vitaly
 | title = Islam in the States of the Former USSR
 | journal = Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
 | volume = 524
 | pages = 131–142
 | date = November 1992
 | doi = 10.1177/0002716292524001011
 | s2cid = 145812443
 }}</ref>

The [[Central Asia]]n states ([[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]]) plus [[Azerbaijan]] in the [[Transcaucasia|Southern Caucasus]] are [[Muslim]], except for their dwindling [[Russians|Russian]] and other European minorities. The Baltic countries are historically [[Western Christian]] ([[Protestant]] and [[Roman Catholic]]), which adds another layer of pro-Western orientation to those countries, although the majority of what has been the traditionally Protestant population there (in Estonia and northern Latvia) is now relatively irreligious. The dominant religion in the other former Soviet countries ([[Armenia]], [[Belarus]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Moldova]], [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]]) is Eastern [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]]. In most countries, religiosity has increased since the Soviet collapse.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===LGBT rights===
{{main|LGBT rights in the Post-Soviet states}}LGBT people may encounter difficulties not shared by non-LGBT residents. In Transnistria homosexuality is illegal. In some other regions, such as Russia and Ukraine, homosexual actions are legal, but there is still discrimination and bias towards the gay community. In June 2023, Estonia became the first former Soviet state to legalize same-sex marriage and joint adoption for gay couples.

=== Environment ===
The Soviet Union inherited environmental problems from the pre-Revolutionary era that it blamed on the failings and evils of capitalism.<ref name=":8"/> The Soviet Union promoted environmental sentiments; it had a constitutional clause on environmental protection and promoted the idea that, by ending capitalism, environmental problems would cease to arise.<ref name=":8"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Thomas|first1=Valerie M.|last2=Orlova|first2=Anna O.|date=2001|title=Soviet and Post-Soviet Environmental Management: Lessons from a Case Study on Lead Pollution|journal=Ambio|volume=30|issue=2|pages=104–111|jstor=4315114|doi=10.1579/0044-7447-30.2.104|pmid=11374307|bibcode=2001Ambio..30..104T |s2cid=27761136}}</ref> Some environmental strides were made, such as the banning of lead-based paint and leaded gasoline in the 20th century.<ref name=":1"/> However, the prioritization of industrial production over environmental protection meant that many environmental issues were left to post-Soviet institutions, particularly air and water pollution in the Northern regions where industrialism was heaviest.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|doi=10.1080/09644010410001685227|title = Environmental Pasts/Environmental Futures in Post-Socialist Europe|journal = Environmental Politics|volume = 13|pages = 237–265|year = 2004|last1 = Pavlínek|first1 = Petr|last2 = Pickles|first2 = John| issue=1 | bibcode=2004EnvPo..13..237P |s2cid = 155024373}}</ref> The Northern countries of Central Europe, including Poland, East Germany and Czechoslovakia formed what is referred to as the "black triangle" due to their heavy use of [[Lignite|brown coal]] for energy.<ref name=":3"/> [[Environmental degradation]] in the former Soviet Union is attributed to rapid industrialization and a lack of institutions that were able to curb pollution levels.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wernstedt|first=Kris|date=July 2002|title=Environmental Protection in the Russian Federation: Lessons and Opportunities|journal=Journal of Environmental Planning and Management|volume=45|issue=4|pages=493–516|doi=10.1080/09640560220143521|bibcode=2002JEPM...45..493W |s2cid=154142478|issn=0964-0568}}</ref> Many [[republics of the Soviet Union]] experienced [[soil degradation]] due to collective farming<ref name=":3"/> In the 1970s, a Soviet study revealed vast technological inefficiencies in the USSR: compared to the West, the USSR created double the amount of pollutants for each product produced, and quadruple the amount of pollution for each car.<ref name=":8"/> The Soviet regime also withheld information regarding the environmental problems facing them, and when these problems became evident to the public, authorities continued to attribute them to capitalism.<ref name=":8"/> The Chernobyl disaster was a turning point in which the Soviets had to take responsibility for a huge environmental disaster amid pressures to disclose information regarding its causes and consequences, and this led to a broader discussion about the state of the environment as well as to concerns about nuclear energy.<ref name=":8"/> As general unrest grew in the final years of the Soviet Union, the public began to demand environmental reform as part of their resistance to Communism. Many citizens wanted to capitalize on the political turnover to achieve an environmentalist agenda.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last1=Coumel|first1=Laurent|last2=Elie|first2=Marc|date=1 January 2013|title=A Belated and Tragic Ecological Revolution: Nature, Disasters, and Green Activists in the Soviet Union and the Post-Soviet States, 1960s–2010s*|journal=The Soviet and Post-Soviet Review|volume=40|issue=2|pages=157–165|doi=10.1163/18763324-04002005|issn=1075-1262}}</ref> There was a push away from coal and towards cleaner forms of energy in the 1980s,<ref name=":3"/> and 1986–1987 saw the first wave of environmental protests.<ref name=":8"/> Village Prose literature by authors such as Valentin Rasputin fostered an environmentalist sentiment.<ref name=":8"/> The Soviet "Green Front" was a populist environmental movement that had five subgroups: the Social-Ecological Union which promoted environmental solutions based in ecological practice, the Ecological Union which advocated for greater monitoring of pollution, the Ecological Foundation that sought to create funds through pollution taxes, the Ecological Society of the Soviet Union that called for a return to the Russian way of life that was closely connected to nature, and the All-Union Movement of Greens which was a culminating body of the four preceding groups.<ref name=":8"/> Russian oil-drilling and the military were among the things they took issue with.<ref name=":8"/> Critics of the Green Front opposed their effects on the chemical industry and claimed that it led to reduced commercial product availability of items such as soap, which was in very short supply in the late 1980s, and restricted access to pharmaceutical goods.<ref name=":8"/>

It was expected that the transition to post-Soviet society would bring about environmental change from both democratic governments and NGOs, but the dissolution of the Soviet Union had both positive and negative effects on the environment. Transition brought about numerous changes that had both positive and negative environmental effects. The abandonment of croplands following dissolution of the Soviet Union led to the creation of carbon sinks.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schierhorn|first1=Florian|last2=Müller|first2=Daniel|last3=Beringer|first3=Tim|last4=Prishchepov|first4=Alexander V.|last5=Kuemmerle|first5=Tobias|last6=Balmann|first6=Alfons|date=1 December 2013|title=Post-Soviet cropland abandonment and carbon sequestration in European Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus|journal=Global Biogeochemical Cycles|volume=27|issue=4|pages=1175–1185|doi=10.1002/2013GB004654|bibcode=2013GBioC..27.1175S|s2cid=53637765 |issn=1944-9224|url=https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_18950 }}</ref> Industrial activity drastically decreased, which reduced air pollution even as the economy took an upturn.<ref name=":3"/> However, the introduction of a capitalist market caused new environmental problems: the increase in privately owned cars and the infrastructure changes to accommodate them, the increase in consumerism with no waste management to handle its byproducts, and the poorly planned construction of retail sites.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|doi=10.1080/10889388.1999.10641120|title = Environmental Change and Post-Communist Transformations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia|journal = Post-Soviet Geography and Economics|volume = 40|issue = 5|pages = 354–382|year = 1999|last1 = Pavlínek|first1 = Petr|last2 = Pickles|first2 = John}}</ref> Environmental clean-up efforts by post-Soviet regimes included institutional changes through the creation of or reformation of environmental agencies, and legislative changes through the introduction of new environmental regulations and their enforcement.<ref name=":3"/> However, some contend that the efficacy of these reforms was curtailed by economic troubles in the 1990s.<ref name=":3"/> New environmental standards were sometimes used by governments to lower preexisting ones, and many of the post-Soviet initiatives have been criticized as "neoliberal" for their basis in free market principles and belief that the market would correct for environmental problems.<ref name=":3"/> Technological innovation was generally directed towards "end-of-pipe" technologies, which deal with the clean-up of emissions and their byproducts rather than the reduction of emissions.<ref name=":5"/>

Nongovernmental environmental organizations did not exist under the Soviet Union.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|doi=10.1080/09644016.2010.508300|title = Environmental mobilisation and organisations in post-socialist Europe and the former Soviet Union|journal = Environmental Politics|volume = 19|issue = 5|pages = 689–707|year = 2010|last1 = Carmin|first1 = Joann|last2 = Fagan|first2 = Adam|s2cid = 144224257|doi-access = free| bibcode=2010EnvPo..19..689C }}</ref> Rather, some republics had state and local institutions for environmental oversight where citizens could voice concerns, but open criticism of the state was prohibited.<ref name=":4"/> Conservation brigades, otherwise known as ''druzhiny'',<ref name=":8">{{cite journal |last1=Bowers |first1=Stephen |title=Soviet and Post-Soviet Environmental Problems |journal=Faculty Publications and Presentations (Liberty University) |date=1993 |s2cid=41347149 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c96b/33e27ba6bcce8f81a3acdc27d907beb22aee.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123452/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c96b/33e27ba6bcce8f81a3acdc27d907beb22aee.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2018 }}</ref> engaged in preservationist and recreational outdoor activities.<ref name=":4"/> However, environmental damage and openings in political freedom in the 1980s led to greater grassroots activism.<ref name=":4"/> The Chernobyl disaster of 1986, its cover-up by national, republic and local government officials, and its environmental and health effects spurred many to action.<ref name=":4"/> General dissatisfaction with the socialist regime and a push for democratization took an environmental focus.<ref name=":4"/> As Soviet citizens became more comfortable with the Gorbachev-era ideals of glasnost and perestroika in the late 20th century, environmentalists became more outspoken in their demands, and radical splinter groups formed in the late 1980s.<ref name=":4"/> The opening of borders led to the spread of ideas and partnership with international environmental NGOs who were able to visit and converse with environmentalists of post-Soviet nations.<ref name=":4"/> The conservation state institutions from the Soviet era continued to exist into the post-Soviet era but experienced difficulty getting funding due to their connection with the socialist regime in national memory.<ref name=":4"/> New environmental NGOs had challenges receiving funding as well as organizing, and the NGOs that survived were not as influential on national decision-making as the state.<ref name=":7"/><ref name=":4"/> Many NGOs expressed disappointment with the lack of substantial environmental change during times of political transformation.<ref name=":5"/> It has also been contended that environmental issues are of little importance to Russian citizens today.<ref name=":7"/> Many former-Soviet citizens abandoned their earlier interest in the environment after the achievement of independence, while continued demands for environmental reform were suppressed.

==== Russia ====
[[File:Nizhnehopersky Nature Park 008.JPG|thumb|Nizhnehopersky Nature Park]]
Russia has an expansive amount of land which contains a high amount of natural resources and biodiversity. Protected natural areas, or ''zapovedniki,'' were created under the Soviet Union.<ref name=":0"/> Soviet leaders attributed former pollution and environmental degradation in Russia to private enterprise and capitalism.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Henry|first1=Laura A.|last2=Douhovnikoff|first2=Vladimir|date=November 2008|title=Environmental Issues in Russia|journal=[[Annual Review of Environment and Resources]]|volume=33|issue=1|pages=437–460|doi=10.1146/annurev.environ.33.051007.082437| doi-access=free|issn=1543-5938}}</ref> However, environmental problems arose in Russia under the Soviets because industrialization was favored over environmentalism, and there was little discussion on how to properly use resources and they were depreciated.<ref name=":0"/> The task of environmental governance was distributed among 15 different ministries.<ref name=":0"/> There is controversy among academics as to whether environmental destruction under the Soviet Union can be attributed more to Marxist ideology or to the industrialization push.<ref name=":0"/>

In 1988, the Central Committee and the USSR Council of Ministers formed the USSR Union Republic State Committee for Environmental Control, or the ''Goskompriroda''.<ref name=":8"/><ref name=":0"/> The intention of this institution was resource management and environmental testing and oversight.<ref name=":8"/> Eventually, however, the ''Goskompriroda'' was accused of holding "entrepreneurial interests," particularly related to nuclear power.<ref name=":8"/> The 1990s saw experiments in taxing pollution of various forms, though this was largely ineffective due to the low charge levels and inflation, as well as more areas of protected land, but there was difficulty overseeing these areas due to small budgets.<ref name=":0"/> In 1991, the Federal Act on the Protection of the Natural Environment was passed in the independent Russian Federation, and the ''Goskompriroda'' became the Ministry of the Environment, or the ''Minpriroda'', and developed sustainable development goals.<ref name=":8"/><ref name=":0"/> In 1996, Yeltsin demoted the Ministry of the Environment to the State Committee on Environmental Protection, and in 2000 Putin ended the State Committee on Environmental Protection and the Federal Forestry Service and tasked the Ministry of Natural Resources with their responsibilities.<ref name=":0"/> In 2001, to the ire of many environmental advocates, Russia passed a law that allowed the acceptance, treatment, and storage of nuclear fuel from other nations for profit.<ref name=":0"/> The Environmental Doctrine was passed in 2002, the Water Code was passed in 2006, and the Forest Code was passed in 2007, though these policies have been critiqued for the difficulty in enforcing them.<ref name=":0"/> Today, Russia has a low population density with most citizens gathered in the cities, so environmental degradation is concentrated in certain areas.<ref name=":0"/> Putin is criticized by environmental advocates for prioritizing economic gain over environmental protection, and there are high levels of greenhouse gas emissions and frequent oil spills.<ref name=":0"/>

==== Ukraine ====
[[Ukraine]] is made up of a diverse landscape consisting of plains, temperate forest and mountains, five densely populated cities, and agricultural land that makes up 70% of the country.<ref name="JEMA-63-1">{{Cite journal|last1=Nazarov|first1=Nikolai|last2=Cook|first2=Hadrian F.|last3=Woodgate|first3=Graham|date=September 2001|title=Environmental issues in the post-communist Ukraine|journal=Journal of Environmental Management|volume=63|issue=1|pages=71–86|doi=10.1006/jema.2001.0460|pmid=11591031|bibcode=2001JEnvM..63...71N |issn=0301-4797}}</ref> Ukraine heavily increased industrial and agricultural production in the Soviet period, which had negative effects on the environment, as did the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster]].<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> Many of these issues have not been addressed post-independence due to lack of funding. Since independence, Ukraine has experienced a decrease in agricultural and industrial productivity and an increase in diseases, birth abnormalities and child mortality, claimed to have been caused at least in part from the Chernobyl disaster and from polluted water and air.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> The number of cars in Ukraine has increased post-independence.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> Sewage waste has increased, but there has been no increase in wastewater treatment facilities to accommodate it, diverting the waste into natural bodies of water; the Black and Azov seas have been polluted by wastewater, though this occurs less with the reduction of industry; agricultural runoff has led to decreased fish populations, particularly in the Azov Sea.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> The damming of the Dnipro for hydroelectric power caused flooding in local and residential areas, though the river has been recovering from contamination caused by the Chernobyl disaster.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> Radioactive waste remains from the Chernobyl accident, the uranium industry, mining and industrial processing.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> There are numerous environmental agencies in Ukraine. In 1991, the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) was formed. It manages the environment and its resources, but it has experienced decreased funding and staff since 1996.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> There is also the Ministry for Forestry, the State Committee on Geology and Natural Resource Use, the State Committee on Water Management, the State Committee on Land Use, the Health Ministry, the Road Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State Committee on Hydrometeorology. Environmental education was also introduced into the school curriculum in the 1990s by the Ministry of Education.<ref name="JEMA-63-1"/> ''Zelenyi svit'', or "Green World", was a successful Ukrainian environmental organization whose mission was to hold the Ukrainian government accountable for their environmental failings, particularly the Chernobyl disaster, and to protect the [[Azov Sea]] through preventing construction of the [[Danube-Dnieper Canal]].<ref name=":8"/>

==== Central Asia ====
Proper water resource management is a significant environmental concern in the post-Soviet nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and the Karakalpakstan region, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal|last=Smith|first=David R.|date=June 1995|title=Environmental Security and Shared Water Resources in Post-Soviet Central Asia|journal=Post-Soviet Geography|volume=36|issue=6|pages=351–370|doi=10.1080/10605851.1995.10640997|issn=1060-5851}}</ref> Central Asia has an arid climate with hot summers and cold winters.<ref name=":9"/> Once within the USSR, the Aral Sea Basin now crosses the geopolitical boundaries of these independent nations. Along with the Aral Sea Basin, Central Asia nations also extract freshwater from the Syr Darya, Amu Darya and Zeravshan rivers.<ref name=":9"/> These rivers receive the snowmelt of surrounding mountains.<ref name=":9"/><br/>Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the newly independent states kept their Soviet-era internal administrative structure but were unpracticed in cross-national natural resource management.<ref name=":9"/> This has led to conflict regarding proper water allocation to meet the agricultural, industrial and consumer demands of these nations.<ref name=":9"/> Water quality degradation, diversion and withdrawal has led to increased insecurity and conflict.<ref name=":9"/>

Most of the water is used for irrigation of agriculture, with Uzbekistan the largest user of agricultural water.<ref name=":9"/> Uzbekistan has double the population of its fellow nations and uses 3/5 of regional water supplies.<ref name=":9"/> Together, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan use twice the amount of water for industrial activities used by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.<ref name=":9"/>

The Interstate Coordinating Commission for Water Resources was formed in 1991 to allocate water from the Syr Darya and Amu Darya but has had difficulty distributing water fairly among nations due to limited funding and physical infrastructure.<ref name=":9"/> This has led to conflict between the states.

To alleviate the stress on water resources in Central Asia, international organizations looking at the situation have advocated for creation of a river basin commission to represent each nation, equitably distribute water, and peacefully resolve conflicts.<ref name=":9"/> It has also been suggested that each nation take responsibility by limiting its downstream environmental effects through reducing agricultural runoff, informing fellow nations of proposed actions which may impact water quality and supply, and sharing data regarding these natural water sources.<ref name=":9"/>

==== Baltic states ====
The three Baltic countries—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania—were ''de facto'' part of the Soviet Union after [[WWII]] until they restored independence in 1991. Afterwards, they have had difficulty acquiring fuels and meeting their energy needs.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last1=Salay|first1=Jürgen|last2=Fenhann|first2=Jörgen|last3=Jaanimägi|first3=Karl|last4=Kristoferson|first4=Lars|date=1 November 1993|title=Energy and Environment in the Baltic States|journal=[[Annual Review of Energy and the Environment]]|volume=18|issue=1|pages=169–216|doi=10.1146/annurev.eg.18.110193.001125| doi-access=free|issn=1056-3466}}</ref> For this reason, they were reliant on Russian oil, and did not have the capacity to acquire fuel from other producers, which had led to frequent fuel shortages.<ref name=":11"/> Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania primarily used fossil fuels for energy including imported gas, oil and petroleum products.<ref name=":11"/> The Baltic states used fuels with high amounts of sulfur and pollutants, which has had a negative effect on the environment. Power plants constructed in the Baltic states under the USSR were inefficient, as they were designed to power the entire northwestern region of Soviet territory.<ref name=":11"/> During this time, environmental monitoring and regulation were controlled at the local level, but the Baltic states had little influence over the state-managed industrial activities in their area.<ref name=":11"/>

Concern for the environment fueled a desire for independence from the USSR.<ref name=":11"/> Since declaring independence, the energy consumption of the Baltic states has declined due to a decrease in industrial activity, and each nation has created its own environmental oversight body: the Ministry of Environment in Estonia, the Environmental Protection Committee in Latvia, and the Environmental Protection Department in Latvia, all of which were under the legislative branch but independent from executive government.<ref name=":11"/> Air pollution was high in the Baltic states due to the high sulfur and other pollutants emitted from their fuel sources. Water pollution was also considerable due to agricultural and industrial activity, as well as the legacy of Soviet military installations.<ref name=":11"/> Emission charges were enacted in the Baltic states to reduce pollution levels.<ref name=":11"/>

===== Estonia =====
Northeastern Estonia and the Narva region in particular was the site of an oil-shale industry which provided electricity and heat.<ref name=":11"/> Estonia was the only nation to have ever had an oil-shale based energy system.<ref name=":11"/> Mining for oil-shale caused Estonia to have the highest amounts of pollution in the Baltic states.<ref name=":11"/> Surrounding nations pressured Estonia to reduce its emissions, but a lack of desulfurization equipment has forced Estonia to instead lower its energy production, which has hurt the nation economically.<ref name=":11"/> Water pollution has also been considered among the worst of Estonia's environmental problems because it does not have the infrastructure to effectively treat as much sewage as is created.<ref name=":11"/>

===== Latvia =====
[[Latvia]] produces the least amount of power and pollution and has the highest amount of forest damage of all the Baltic states.<ref name=":11"/>

===== Lithuania =====
Lithuania is the largest producer of electricity of all three Baltic states.<ref name=":11"/> Lithuania's land area is roughly 31% forested and is both state and privately owned.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal|last1=Lazdinis|first1=Imantas|last2=Angelstam|first2=Per|last3=Lazdinis|first3=Marius|date=1 July 2007|title=Maintenance of Forest Biodiversity in a Post-Soviet Governance Model: Perceptions by Local Actors in Lithuania|journal=Environmental Management|volume=40|issue=1|pages=20–33|doi=10.1007/s00267-005-0387-8|pmid=17464529|bibcode=2007EnMan..40...20L|s2cid=21279014|issn=1432-1009}}</ref> Under the USSR, forest and other natural resources were state-owned and centrally managed.<ref name=":10"/> The State determined how resources would be used and excluded the public from influencing forest policy.<ref name=":10"/> The transition to a post-Soviet political and economic system led to privatization of forests and a market economy.<ref name=":10"/> Today, Lithuania's forests are managed democratically and sustainably so as to preserve biodiversity and forest resources.<ref name=":10"/>

==Demographics==
[[File:Former USSR Population pyramid in 2023.svg|thumb|Population pyramid of the former USSR constituent republics in 2023|250x250px]]{{Largest population centres|city_1=Moscow|country=the Soviet Union|div_name=Republic|pop_1=13,010,112 (2021)<ref name=C2021>{{Cite web|title=2021 Census|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx}}</ref>|div_1=Russia|city_2=Saint Petersburg|city_3=Kyiv|div_2=Russia|pop_2=5,601,911 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|div_3=Ukraine|pop_3=2,952,301  (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title="Number of present population of Ukraine 1 January 2022"|url=https://ukrstat.gov.ua/druk/publicat/kat_u/2022/zb/05/zb_%D0%A1huselnist.pdf}}</ref>|city_4=Tashkent|div_4=Uzbekistan|pop_4=2,909,466 (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title="Urban and rural population by district"|url=https://toshstat.uz/files/308/2021---DEMOGRAFIYA/2130/Hududlar-boyicha-shahar-va-qishloq-aholisi-soni.pdf}}</ref>|city_5=Baku|div_5=Azerbaijan|pop_5=2,293,100  (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|title= "Population"|url=https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/?lang=en}}</ref>|city_6=Almaty|div_6=Kazakhstan|pop_6=2,147,233  (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title= "Об изменении численности населения города Алматы с начала 2020 года до 1 января 2021 года"|url= https://stat.gov.kz/api/getFile/?docId=ESTAT403351|access-date= 6 July 2023|archive-date= 25 May 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210525192030/https://stat.gov.kz/api/getFile/?docId=ESTAT403351|url-status= dead}}</ref>|city_7=Minsk|div_7=Belarus|pop_7=1,995,471 (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title= "Population of Minsk"|url=https://www.belstat.gov.by/ofitsialnaya-statistika/ssrd-mvf_2/natsionalnaya-stranitsa-svodnyh-dannyh/naselenie_6/chislennost-naseleniya1_yan_poobl/}}</ref>|city_8=Novosibirsk|div_8=Russia|pop_8=1,633,595 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_9=Yekaterinburg|div_9=Russia|pop_9=1,544,376 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_10=Kharkiv|div_10=Ukraine|pop_10=1,421,125   (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Статистичний збірник «Чисельність наявного населення України» на 1 січня 2021 року|url=http://ukrstat.gov.ua/druk/publicat/kat_u/2021/zb/05/zb_chuselnist%202021.pdf}}</ref>|stat_ref=Current population, city proper|city_11=Astana|div_11=Kazakhstan|pop_11=1,350,228 (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://stat.gov.kz/region/268012?lang=en| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726100426/https://stat.gov.kz/region/268012?lang=en | archive-date=26 July 2020 }}</ref>|city_12=Kazan|div_12=Russia|pop_12=1,308,660 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_13=Nizhny Novgorod|div_13=Russia|pop_13=1,228,199 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_14=Tbilisi|div_14=Georgia (country){{!}}Georgia|pop_14=1,202,731 (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Population by regions|url=https://www.geostat.ge/media/38042/1-3---population-by-cities-and-boroughs.xlsx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603065728/https://www.geostat.ge/media/38042/1-3---population-by-cities-and-boroughs.xlsx |archive-date=3 June 2021 }}</ref>|city_15=Dushanbe|div_15=Tajikistan|pop_15=1,201,800 (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title= "ШУМОРАИ АЊОЛИИ ЉУМЊУРИИ ТОЉИКИСТОН ТО 1 ЯНВАРИ СОЛИ 2022"|url=https://stat.tj/storage//1.01.2022.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010195817/https://stat.tj/storage//1.01.2022.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2022 }}</ref>|city_16=Chelyabinsk|div_16=Russia|pop_16=1,189,525 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_17=Krasnoyarsk|div_17=Russia|pop_17=1,187,771 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_18=Samara|div_18=Russia|pop_18=1,173,299 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_19=Ufa|div_19=Russia|pop_19=1,144,809 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />|city_20=Rostov-on-Don|div_20=Russia|pop_20=1,142,162 (2021)<ref name=C2021 />}}
*[[Demographics of Armenia]]
*[[Demographics of Azerbaijan]]
*[[Demographics of Belarus]]
*[[Demographics of Estonia]] 
*[[Demographics of Georgia (country)|Demographics of Georgia]]
*[[Demographics of Kazakhstan]]
*[[Demographics of Kyrgyzstan]]
*[[Demographics of Latvia]]
*[[Demographics of Lithuania]]
*[[Demographics of Moldova]]
*[[Demographics of Russia]]
*[[Demographics of Tajikistan]]
*[[Demographics of Turkmenistan]]
*[[Demographics of Ukraine]]
*[[Demographics of Uzbekistan]]

==Post-Soviet nostalgia==
{{See also|Nostalgia for the Soviet Union|Communist nostalgia}}
[[File:2018-05-09. День Победы в Донецке f171.jpg|thumb|People in [[Donetsk]] celebrate the [[Victory Day (9 May)|Soviet victory]] over [[Nazi Germany]] on 9 May 2018.]]
Ever since the dissolution of the Soviet Union a certain number of people (predominantly people around the age of ~ 55–80, which is most likely due to the USSR's peak performance in the time of [[Leonid Brezhnev|Brezhnev]]) have expressed a longing for the Soviet period and its values. The level of post-Soviet nostalgia varies across the former republics. For example, certain groups of people may blend the Soviet and post-Soviet experience in their daily lives.{{clarify|date=August 2012}}<ref>See: Kaprans, M. (2009) [http://www.satori.lv/raksts/3114 Then and now: Comparing the Soviet and Post-Soviet experience in Latvian autobiographies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914161215/http://www.satori.lv/raksts/3114 |date=14 September 2010 }}''Keywords'' 2.</ref>

A 2009 [[Pew Research Center]] poll showed that 62% of Ukrainians felt that their lives were worse off after 1989, when free markets were made dominant.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2009/11/02/end-of-communism-cheered-but-now-with-more-reservations/|title=End of Communism Cheered but Now with More Reservations|date=2 November 2009|work=Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519112519/http://www.pewglobal.org/2009/11/02/end-of-communism-cheered-but-now-with-more-reservations/|archive-date=19 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A follow-up poll by Pew Research Center in 2011 showed that 45% of Lithuanians, 42% of Russians, and 34% of Ukrainians approved of the change to a post-Soviet market economy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/12/05/confidence-in-democracy-and-capitalism-wanes-in-former-soviet-union/|title=Confidence in Democracy and Capitalism Wanes in Former Soviet Union|date=5 December 2011|work=Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520020300/http://www.pewglobal.org/2011/12/05/confidence-in-democracy-and-capitalism-wanes-in-former-soviet-union/|archive-date=20 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to July 2012 polling in Ukraine by [[Sociological group "RATING"|RATING]], 42% of respondents supported the formation of a unified state of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus; earlier in 2012 this support had been 48%.<ref name=RatingJuly12>[http://ratinggroup.com.ua/en/products/politic/data/entry/14004/ The language question, the results of recent research in 2012], [[Sociological group "RATING"|RATING]] (25 May 2012)</ref>

Polls of Russian citizens conducted by [[Levada Center]] in November 2016, 2017, and 2018 showed that a majority viewed the collapse of the USSR negatively (56%, 58%, and 66% respectively) and felt that it could have been avoided (51%, 52%, and 60% respectively). The 2018 figure of 66% who regretted the USSR's collapse was the highest since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Collapse of the USSR |url=https://www.levada.ru/en/2019/01/14/the-collapse-of-the-ussr/ |website=levada.ru |date=14 January 2019 |publisher=Yuri Levada Analytical Center |access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ностальгия по СССР |url=https://www.levada.ru/2018/12/19/nostalgiya-po-sssr-2/ |publisher=levada.ru |date=19 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Maza |first=Christina |date=19 December 2018 |title=Russia vs. Ukraine: More Russians Want the Soviet Union and Communism Back Amid Continued Tensions |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-vs-ukraine-soviet-union-communism-1264875|work=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref> A 2019 poll found that 59% of Russians felt that the Soviet government "took care of ordinary people". [[Joseph Stalin]]'s favorability also hit record highs that same year.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 June 2019 |title=Most Russians Say Soviet Union 'Took Care of Ordinary People' – Poll|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/06/24/most-russians-say-soviet-union-took-care-of-ordinary-people-poll-a66125|work=[[The Moscow Times]]|access-date=5 July 2019 }}</ref>

== Characteristics of regionalization ==
[[File:PostSoviet Regions Map.png|upright=1.15|thumb|right|Regional categorization of post-Soviet states:<br/>
{{legend|#688856|[[Central Asia]]}}
{{legend|#ffc600|[[Eastern Europe]]}}
{{legend|#0065c8|[[Baltic states]]}}
{{legend|#f2553e|[[Russia|Russian Federation]]}}
{{legend|#f18cbf|[[South Caucasus]]}}]]

Various regional structures have emerged in the post-Soviet geography, which is fragmented in political and geopolitical terms. The first of these was the Independent State Society (CIS), which included former Soviet countries outside the Baltic countries. The failure of the CIS to meet the foreign policy needs of many post-Soviet countries has set the stage for a new regional integration. At the initiative of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Moldova]], a GUAM organization was established in [[Strasbourg]] on 10 October 1997.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=On The Role of The 'Caucasian Tandem' in GUAM|journal=Central Asia and the Caucasus|year=2008|s2cid=55012247|last1=Papava|first1=V.}}</ref> The purpose and principles of the organization were determined at the first summit of GUAM on 7 June 2001 in Yalta. The countries participating in the GUAM aimed to maintain their national independence and sovereignty and to increase their maneuverability against Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.taraskuzio.com/International%20Relations_files/guuam_emergence.pdf|title=Promoting Geopolitical Pluralism in the CIS: GUAM and Western Foreign Policy|website=Taraskuzio.com|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Border states (Eastern Europe)]]
* [[Decommunization]]
** [[Decommunization in Russia]]
** [[Decommunization in Ukraine]]
** [[List of monuments and memorials removed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
* [[Eurasianism]]
** [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] (CSTO)
** [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS)
** [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union]] (EAEU)
** [[Moscow, third Rome]]
** [[Primakov doctrine]]
** [[Russian imperialism]]
** [[Russian world]]
* [[Frozen conflict]]
* [[Limitrophe states]]
* [[Near abroad]]
* [[New Union Treaty]]
* [[Operation Provide Hope]]
* [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe statistics]]
* [[Pan-Slavism]]
* [[Second World]]
* [[Sino-Soviet split]]
* [[Soviet Empire]]
* [[Soviet patriotism]]
* [[Sovietization]]
* [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/0762c770bc3906dee8048cb763359dc8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=506316|title=Geopolitical and Economic Significance of Central Eurasia: Indian Perspective|work=Kundu, Nivedita Das. Indian Foreign Affairs Journal; New Delhi Vol. 5, Iss. 3, (Jul–Sep 2010): 324–337.}}

==External links==
* [http://www.4020.net/eastbloc/ Candid photos of the Eastern Bloc] September–December 1991, in the last months of the USSR
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121215042300/http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552518 New Directions Post-Independence] from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160115205405/https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552494 Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121215065814/http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552656 Post-Soviet Russia and its Neighbor States] from the [http://www.library.georgetown.edu/digital/krogh Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives]
* [http://folk.uio.no/palk/ch03History.htm Discovering The Centuries-Old State Tradition], professor Pål Kolstø, [[University of Oslo]]
* [https://www.economist.com/world/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3110979 Former Soviet war zones – The hazards of a long, hard freeze], ''[[The Economist]]'', 19 August 2004
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060827171444/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003211792_caucasus20.html 4 enclaves' post-Soviet fate in limbo], ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', 20 August 2006
* [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/09/BA6F0EF6-04A6-4D50-A114-486B978A1F54.html Are Independence Referendums First Step Toward Kremlin's 'Historical Revanchism'?], ''[[Radio Free Europe]]'', 15 September 2006

{{Soviet Union topics}}
{{Eurasian Integration}}
{{Asia topics}}
{{Europe topics (small)}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Geography|Europe|Asia|History}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Post-Soviet states| ]]
[[Category:Dissolution of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Successor states]]
[[Category:1990s in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 1990s]]

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Module:Icon/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If empty (view source) (protected)
Module:Labelled list hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/ISO 639 synonyms (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data/iana languages (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data/iana regions (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data/iana scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data/iana suppressed scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data/iana variants (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/langx (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:List (view source) (protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Military navigation (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/rfd (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:Plain text (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal (view source) (protected)
Module:Portal-inline (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/a (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/e (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/g (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/h (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/other (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/s (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal bar (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal bar/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Redirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:String2 (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:Unicode data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unicode data/scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:WPMILHIST Infobox style (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-Soviet_states"