You are correct on Russias shrinking population. I was adding Schroeder and ch-iraq. It was intended as being somewhat cynical with those 3 now proposing the new Axis to counter the US.
That my friend has been established. Schroeder and ch-Iraq want to dominate the US and are seeking Putins help in doing so.
Schroeder and Chiraq face the same population problem, exacerbated by "indigestible" immigration. So, physical Lebensraum is not applicable, and as for Putin's help in anything - so far he has demonstrated that the only thing he could help with is to botch everything he touches. Reverse Midas touch, with agricultural [fertilizer] overtones.