Final answer:
Russia and the former Soviet republics have developed their own political systems post-Soviet Union breakup; Russia under Putin has moved towards authoritarian rule, while the independent states pursue varying levels of democracy and alignment with European institutions.
The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the political landscapes of Russia and the former Soviet republics underwent significant changes. The correct answer to the question is (C) Russia and former Soviet republics have developed entirely new political frameworks.
While Russia under President Vladimir Putin has strengthened its central government with a mix of democracy and strong authoritarian tendencies, the independent former Soviet republics each developed their own political structures.
The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed in December 1991 as a loose confederation, but it has been largely ineffective in preventing conflicts or maintaining any sort of political integration. Former Soviet Socialist Republics like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan became independent, creating their own political systems, many adopting democratic reforms while wrestling with issues of governance and corruption.
The situation in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states reflects a mixture of democratic transition, alignment with the European Union, and, in the case of the Baltic countries, membership in NATO.
The correct option is C.