Modern World Affairs – Formation of the CIS (1991) Identify the original three signatories who founded the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in December 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR.

Introduction / Context:
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) emerged during the breakup of the Soviet Union. Knowing the founding members is a common general-knowledge and history question tied to the political transformations of 1991 in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Date: December 1991, immediately following the dissolution of the USSR.
• We need the original founding trio of the CIS.
• Spelling variants like Byelorus/Belarus reflect older transliterations but refer to Belarus.

Concept / Approach:
The CIS was initiated by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus (then often written Byelorussia), who signed the Belavezha Accords. Other former Soviet republics joined later, but the initial founding document was by these three states.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical records confirm the meeting in the Belavezha Forest (Belarus) where leaders of the three republics declared the USSR effectively dissolved and formed the CIS, with subsequent agreements bringing others aboard.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Options A, B, D list other former Soviet republics; none represent the initial trio of founders.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming many post-Soviet states were founders simultaneously. While several joined soon after, the founding document involved exactly three states.

Final Answer:
Russia, Ukraine and Byelorus