The first of the former republics of the Soviet Union to be recognized as completely independent was Lithuania. It separated in 1989., and Russia recognized its independence in 1991. The Lithuania is the Baltic republic in the North of Europe, to the east of Sweden and Denmark. This country and the other two Baltic states, Estonia and Latvia, had weakest historical and cultural connections to Russia, and therefore they were seen by many to be the main candidates to separate. Today, Lithuania is the member of European Union.
