Why did Belarus join the Commonwealth of Independent States after independence?

Belarus joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The organization was formed as a free association of sovereign states that were formerly part of the U.S.S.R. to replace the crumbling central authority of the Soviet government.123

Belarus was one of the three founding Slavic republics—alongside Russia and Ukraine—that signed the agreement to establish the CIS on December 8, 1991. The primary purpose of the organization was to coordinate member policies regarding their economies, defense, foreign relations, law enforcement, and environmental protection. By joining, Belarus sought to maintain a structured association with other former Soviet republics during the transition following the collapse of the communist system. Notably, the city of Minsk was designated as the administrative center of the CIS.31