there is the story about how Ukraine and Belarus ended up founding members of the United Nations, while still being part of USSR.
The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic joined the UN on 24 October 1945 together with the USSR
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_states_of_the_United_Na...I can't find now the articles about it, but at the time United Nations were being created there was a dispute between the then Soviet Union and the USA. Soviet Union wanted UN membership for each of its Soviet Republics, to which USA responded by asking the same for each of the States of the Federation. They finally settled for 3 seats for the USSR (2 more for Ukraine and Belarus) and one for USA.
Scotland and Wales are "countries", BTW.
The United Kingdom (UK) comprises four countries: England, Scotland, and Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain) and Northern Ireland (which is variously described as a country, province or region)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countries_of_the_United_Kingdo...End of digression