09.04.2026 01:40
Another country has decided to leave the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was established to maintain cooperation among the former Soviet republics in the fields of economy, politics, and security after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Moldovan President Maia Sandu signed a decree foreseeing her country's exit from the community.
Moldova President Maia Sandu signed a decree foreseeing the country's withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The decree signed by Sandu was published in Moldova's Official Gazette. According to the decree, under the fundamental agreements of the CIS, the treaty establishing the organization along with its protocol and the organization's charter have been terminated.
EU MEMBERSHIP GOAL
The Moldovan government had made a decision last month to terminate the fundamental agreements of the CIS. This decision was approved in parliament at the beginning of the month.
On the path to European Union (EU) membership, Moldova had previously initiated the process of withdrawal from the CIS, terminating approximately 70 agreements signed under the CIS.
Moldova, which separated from the former Soviet Union in 1991, joined the CIS in 1994.
WHAT IS THE CIS?
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional union established to maintain cooperation in economic, political, and security fields among the former Soviet republics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Many former Soviet countries, including Russia, are members of the community; however, the structure does not have binding rules like the European Union and operates as a looser cooperation platform. Although Ukraine was a founding member, it gradually distanced itself from the community and effectively withdrew. Georgia also decided to withdraw after Russia's intervention in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.