The new Putin Doctrine applies to the entire territory of the former Soviet Union. Putin justifies the right to oversee this expanse by relying on a vague notion of "Russia's historical heritage" and the need to ensure the country's security in its rightful sphere of influence.
As it turns out, from now on the sovereignty of the former Soviet republics will depend on how the Kremlin views its strategic interests.
The only exceptions are the three former Baltic republics, which are NATO members.