[annalex]

Your graph says PPP, that is per capita. Per capita GDP of Russia in 2012 ranks 58, behind Croatia, Gabon, Poland, the Balt countries, Hungary, etc. It is beating Botswana and Belarus. List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita

If you mean gross GDP then Russia is consistently behind US, China, Britain, Germany, France and Brazil according to any list: List of countries by GDP (nominal). RF indeed beats Italy. Of course, a look at the sizes and populations of Russia compared to Italy and the rest might explain that relatively good performance. Note also that in RF that is oil money, unlike the well-structured European economies.

[Marguerite]

” Note also that in RF that is oil money, unlike the well-structured European economies.”

Plenty of European countries envy Russia’s oil and gas supplies and will be deligted to have the same.

Russia has changed a lot in the past 14 years. It is no more the Soviet Union you knew.
I met recently a friend’s daughters from St.Petersburg, who came here on vacation, 18 and 21 year old. They can’t remember the USSR, they weren’t even born when it collapsed. Nice manners, modern-looking , speaking impeccable English, it was a joy to show them around the city.