Russia is a failed nation with immense nuclear power. They could be the Wheat Capital and Energy supplier to Europe, but they are hell bent on returning their old Russian ways.
They see NATO expansion and have chosen war over peace to preserve their old ways.
They could have been more. They could have been as rich per capita as Norway. Russians are smart, but the intelligence runs from Putin's corruption
Putin has destroyed Russia
Yep. 6,000 nukes. No one is going to dare to invade them. Russia is hostile and paranoid.