Post-Soviet states navigate multipolar order 35 years after independence

September 10, 2026 at 08:04 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Seven former Soviet republics marked the 35th anniversary of their independence declarations since late August. The celebrations highlighted distinct national identities developed since 1991. The post-Soviet space now navigates a multipolar order shaped by Russia, China, and the United States.

Key Facts

Seven of the 15 former Soviet republics celebrated the 35th anniversary of their independence declarations since late August.
China has replaced Russia as the main trading partner of most Central Asian states.
The Baltic states became NATO members in the early 2000s.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization are among the blocs reaching into the post-Soviet space.

Independence Anniversaries

Since late August, seven of the 15 former Soviet republics marked the 35th anniversary of their independence declarations. Uzbekistan staged a spectacular celebration, while other republics held more sedate events. All seven sought to display the national identities they have developed since attaining sovereignty in 1991.

Multipolar Power Shift

The rise of China and Russia's resurgence under President Vladimir Putin changed the balance of power in the late 2000s. The dominant narrative today is that the world is shifting toward a multipolar system. In the post-Soviet space, the main poles over the past three decades have been Russia, China, and the United States. Chinese expansion in the region has reached unprecedented levels, with China replacing Russia as the main trading partner of most Central Asian states.

Alliances and Security

The Baltic states became NATO members in the early 2000s, while Belarus became a close ally of Russia. Ukraine hedged and then inched toward the West, a desire Moscow viewed as a security threat. South Caucasus and Central Asian states continue to hedge among the various poles in the emerging multipolar world. A plethora of alliances reach into the post-Soviet space, including NATO, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.