Soviet Union stopped existing 20 years ago
The leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine singed an agreement to create the CIS on December 8, 1991 in the "Viskuli" residence in Belavezhskaya Pushcha.
The so-called "Belavezha Accords" put an end to the 69-years history of existense of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The end of the USSR was announced by the leaders of the same Soviet republics which established the Union back in 1922. Stanislau Shushkevich signed the agreement on behalf of Belarus.
13 days later, on December 21, the leaders of new 11 independent countries (apart from the Baltic States and Georgia) signed the protocol to the agreement on creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
