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[–]casparvoneverecBig tiddy respecter 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

This is misleading. By PPP calculations, Russia has a GDP of 4.3 trillion dollars. This is the measure for Russia as its essentially an autarky and produces everything it needs domestically.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)

Plus, Russia has other means that already make it a significant global power:

*The world's second largest arms industry

*The world's largest nuclear arsenal

*The worlds largest gas exporter

*The world's 2nd largest oil exporter

*The world's 3rd strongest military

*The world's largest wheat exporter

*One of the world's top three food exporters.

*The most resource rich country in the world with aluminium, zinc, titanium and chromium reserves that form a vital part of the world market.

Its far more influential on the world stage than a country like Britain or France. Russia also has the ability to project power independently, as seen from its intervention in Syria, Ukraine and Libya.

A weakened US and China would give it a greater hand. It could position itself as the military protector of Eastern Europe.