What is USSR meaning? What is USSR flag and symbol like? which countries were a part of USSR? What does USSR stand for?
“USSR” or “the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics” is the name used for the 15 countries that got united and governed under Communism ideology. It existed from 1922 to 1991.
We will focus on the states that became independent countries after the union collapsed.
Ukraine after independence from USSR
Ukraine is home to more than 22 million people. Ever since becoming independent from USSR, this country has been trying to get closer to other European countries and to join the EU and NATO.
This effort had come with a hefty price! It cost them their economic crisis, war with Russia over Crimea and nation-wide insecurity.
Although the EU declared that Ukraine is eligible to join them, they don’t expect it to happen sooner than 2030 because their president was trying to satisfy Russia at the time they received the offer and postponed it against people’s will.
Crimea border issues in Ukraine
Ukraine had no border issues until Russia thought they were losing their last friend in Europe which could block their access to the western European countries. They attacked Crimea and declared it as theirs and also supported a group of armed soldiers who occupied two cities on the eastern side of the country.
Now if Ukrainians want to travel to Crimea, they have to use their passports. Crimeans are given Russian citizenship and passport which they all wanted but now Russia is mainly using their region for military bases and their economy is getting worse day by day, especially since Ukrainian tourists stopped traveling there and Russians aren’t interested to travel there either.
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Latvia and Lithuania after independence from USSR
These two small Eastern European nations are both members of the EU and NATO. They are peaceful, best friends and both into dark art! (Those weird freaky monuments and traditions).
They are still in a good relationship with Georgia and Ukraine because of their Soviet background.
They speak their own languages which are pretty similar. Their land is too flat and that’s about it!
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Moldova after independence from USSR
Moldova is one of a kind. It’s landlocked between Romania and Ukraine and is identical to Romania, they speak the same language and even have similar flags! Their only difference is that Moldova became a part of the USSR at one point while Romania stayed close to the western block.
Transnistria and Gagauzia, Self-governing states within Moldova
These regions are too weird!
Transnistria’s people are mostly Russian, and not surprisingly, they are in love with Russia. They announced to be independent one year after Moldova became a country itself! They set a border and even check Moldovans passport when they enter their land! They have a government, police, and military for themselves!
Their flag is the only one in the world that has hammer and sickle on it! Even Russians who invented this thing aren’t using it anymore!
No real country has recognized them yet, except three similar de facto states of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Artsakh as well as 8 US states.
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Gagauzia is different thou! Although they know where their boundaries are, they’re living peacefully with other parts of Moldova. Their only condition is not joining the EU. as long as Moldova stays out of its western neighbors, they would remain cool with the situation!
Unfortunately Crimea’s history is very very complex than this post portrayed, but very good read. Now I have to go through your other posts on this topic to find the republics my husband and I are from 🙂
You are right.
I researched about Crimea a while ago. I’ll probably write a part about it sometime soon.
Which republics ate you guys from?
If I remember correctly, the complexity goes back to Katherine times, but the actual “gift” from Russia to Ukraine happened by Brezhnev when no one could ever think that borders would be an issue in USSR.
Azerbaijan and Belarus. Found both in your part 1.
This was a very interesting read!
Glad to hear that!
Thank you for your comment! 😊
Fascinating topic! I wondered, while reading, whether you’ll post about the ex – Yugoslav countries?
I visited Belgrade, Serbian capital, last timer. This region had been completely off my radar before the trip. I do plan to go back and explore the region in more depth. It would be very interesting to read your article about the Balkan states.
Thank you very much for your comment.
I have not written that one yet, but will surely do. I love Balkans.
I already wrote about some of the countries in Balkans. You can find them here:
https://delusionalbubble.com/category/europe/balkans/
I had no idea about USSR before reading your 3 continuous posts about it. Now I know! Thank you!