The Belarusian People's Republic (Belarusian: Белару́ская Наро́дная Рэспу́бліка, transliterated as Bielaruskaja Narodnaja Respublika, BNR), historically referred to as the White Ruthenian Democratic Republic (German: Weißruthenische Volksrepublik; French: République Démocratique de la Ruthénie Blanche) was a Belarusian state that declared independence in 1918. In order to distinguish it from similarly-named communist republics, it is also known as the "Belarusian Democratic Republic" or the "Belarusian National Republic". The BNR was recognized by several Central Powers and former Russian countries, but not by the majority of the international community. It ceased to exist when Belarus was taken under Soviet control and the Belorussian SSR was founded in 1919.
Authorities of the BNR later formed a government in exile. As of 2012, the Rada (government) of the Belarusian People's Republic is the oldest existing government in exile (see Government in exile#Current governments in exile).
Read more about Belarusian People's Republic: History, Exile, Presidents, Symbols, Archives
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