They may be independent in some sense but it still matters a great deal. If other nations don't accept your sovereignty you can't really have trade or diplomati

They may be independent in some sense but it still matters a great deal. If other nations don't accept your sovereignty you can't really have trade or diplomatic relations. Just ask South Ossetia, Novorossia or Transdnistria. These days it's pretty pointless to be independent if you can't have foreign trade.