Which landlocked former Soviet republic is wedged between Poland and Russia?

The correct answer is Belarus, which is a landlocked country situated between Poland to the west and Russia to the east. This strategic location places Belarus at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, making it geographically significant. As a former Soviet republic, Belarus emerged as an independent nation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Belarus has a unique geographical feature in that it does not have any coastline, which qualifies it as landlocked. Its positioning provides it with direct borders to multiple countries, allowing for transport and trade routes that pass through both Poland and Russia, influencing its political and economic dynamics.

Understanding the geographical context of Belarus helps clarify its relationships with neighboring countries and its role in regional geopolitics. Other options, such as Estonia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, do not fit the criteria as they either have coastlines, do not share borders with both Poland and Russia, or are not landlocked.