On 25 March 1918 the Belarus National Republic is formed, but this state is abolished in January 1919; the secession of Belarus from Russia does not succeed.
In 1922 the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (the Byelorussian SSR) is officially united with the USSR.
On 27 July 1990 the Supreme Soviet of Belarus adopts the declaration of sovereignty.
On 25 August 1991 Belarus declares itself independent from the USSR. The new state is called the Republic of Belarus.
In December 1991 in Minsk the Commonwealth of Independent States is formed and Belarus becomes part of the organisation.
In March 1994 a new constitution is adopted, which gives more power to the president; Alexander Lukashenko is elected as the new president.
On 2 April 1996 Minsk and Moscow agree to create a union of Russia and Belarus. Exactly a year later Lukashenko and Russian President Boris Yeltsin sing a treaty of alliance, which should harmonise the defence, foreign, and economic policies of the two countries.
On 26 January 2000 the open-ended treaty of alliance between Russia and Belarus becomes valid. In the course of time the alliance should be transformed into a federation with common currency, political system and economy.