Unable to keep up with Western technological advances and maintain a level of quality for the population, the USSR was slowly declining.
Likewise, the republics that formed the Soviet Union demanded more self-determination and political freedoms.
The Russian Federation assumed the international obligations of the USSR and the foreign debts of the countries.
Russia withdrew assets from the USSR that remained in foreign countries, including facilities such as embassies and consulates.
The command of the military forces, the control of nuclear weapons and the management of space exploration research came under the administration of Russia.
Nuclear weapons belonging to Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan were destroyed because these nations gave up this type of military equipment.