Once again about the "huge". say - and for example the Congo - "a huge, great country"? Or, for example, Vietnam is a "huge country"? And Nigeria?
The first 2 countries - fully correspond to the "scale" of Russia in terms of population. Nigeria - exceeds 2 times Russia. Where is the greatness of Russia? In territory? I'll tell you a secret - 70% + of this territory IS NOT INVOLVED AT ALL, and ARE NOT OPENED !!! You didn't know? These territories are not suitable for life, there is nothing useful or strategically important there! So greatness is very "inflated"
If population is the sole criteria, then I need to remind you that the population of UK and France amounts to less than half of that of Russia. So these countries are not "great", I guess. And while it may be true that around 70% of the area of Russia is sparsely populated, this region contains one of the highest concentrations of metals and minerals in the planet. I am talking about Nickel deposits of Norilsk, Bauxite in Baikal, diamonds in Yakutia, oil and natural gas in Yugra, Copper in Urals and gold in Amur.