How are the former Soviet countries doing today?

Summary

The Soviet Union, once covering over 15% of Earth's landmass, dissolved into 15 independent republics, each following its own path. Despite a shared Soviet past, these nations developed unique languages, governments, and alliances. Disputes over borders and ethnic groups sparked conflicts in areas like Chechnya, Transnistria, and Nagorno-Karabakh. Economic growth has varied, with Baltic nations leading, while countries like Ukraine and Tajikistan still struggle. Politically, authoritarian regimes dominate, with long-serving leaders and corruption issues. Regional organizations, such as the CIS and EAEU, reflect complex geopolitical shifts.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Soviet Union covered over 15% of Earth's land mass and was made up of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics, which became independent after the USSR's collapse.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Despite their shared Russian influence, the former Soviet states have diverse cultures and languages, with some countries switching from Cyrillic to Latin script.
• 🇪🇪 Estonia and Latvia still have significant Russian populations, leading to tensions over national identity and borders.
• ⚔️ Several regions like Chechnya, Transnistria, Abkhazia, and Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence, leading to conflicts and civil wars, with limited or no recognition.
• 🤝 After independence, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed, excluding the Baltic states, who viewed their Soviet membership as illegal.
• 🔗 The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) were formed by some former Soviet states to strengthen military and economic ties.
• 🌍 GUAM (Organization for Democracy and Economic Development) was formed by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova to distance themselves from Russian influence.
• 💰 After independence, most former Soviet states saw economic recession, but many have since transitioned to market economies, with Turkmenistan experiencing the most growth.
• 📉 Russia remains the largest economy among the former Soviet states, accounting for about 70% of the region's total GDP.
• 📊 The Baltic states lead in GDP per capita and Human Development Index, while countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan rank the lowest in terms of development and economic progress.

Q & A

What was the geographical size of the Soviet Union before its collapse?

The Soviet Union covered more than 15% of Earth's land mass.

How many Soviet Socialist Republics became independent countries after the Soviet Union's collapse?

Fifteen Soviet Socialist Republics became independent countries after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Which countries adopted the Latin script after gaining independence from the Soviet Union?

Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan adopted the Latin script after independence, and Kazakhstan is in the process of switching as well.

What were some of the disputed regions that declared independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union?

Some disputed regions that declared independence include Chechnya (Russia), Transnistria (Moldova), Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Georgia), and Nagorno Karabakh (Azerbaijan).

What organization was created by most former Soviet Union countries after independence, and which countries did not join?

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed, consisting of most former Soviet countries. However, the Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) did not join, seeing their membership in the Soviet Union as an illegal occupation.

What was the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and how is it often described?

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was formed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It is often described as the CIS version of NATO.

Which countries formed the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), and what was its purpose?

Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova formed GUAM to distance themselves from Russian influence. Uzbekistan later joined, making it GUUAM, but then left again.

What was the significance of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and which countries were involved?

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was formed by Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia to facilitate stronger economic integration, including free movement of goods, services, and people.

How did the collapse of the Soviet Union initially affect the economies of its former republics?

After the Soviet Union collapsed, the economies of the new countries experienced recession as production chains between republics broke down. However, most transitioned to a market economy, and GDP eventually grew.

Which former Soviet Union countries have the highest and lowest GDP per capita today?

The Baltic countries, particularly Estonia, have the highest GDP per capita, followed by Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. The countries with the lowest GDP per capita are Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.