Did the Soviet Union Legally Collapse? Controversial Claim at St. Petersburg Forum

The XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum hosted a surprising discussion on the legal status of the former Soviet Union. Anton Kobyakov, advisor to the Russian President, boldly asserted that the USSR "continues to exist" legally. His argument centers on the claim that only the deputies who originally formed the USSR possessed the legal authority to dissolve it. This assertion was unexpectedly supported by Sergey Stepashin, former Prime Minister and current chairman of the Russian Lawyers' Association. Stepashin agreed that the dissolution process was flawed, stating, "The procedure for the dissolution of the Soviet Union was violated." Kobyakov's statement, while provocative, highlights ongoing debates about the legal ramifications of the USSR's collapse and its relevance to contemporary political issues. The forum provided a platform for this contentious discussion, raising questions about the interpretation of international and constitutional law.