The fact they have a large landmass and nuclear weapons has no relevancy. The country lacks very basic infra structure like roads and they can’t make pantyhose.
Economically they rank like Mexico. Their population number is also like Mexico. Unlike China or Mexico, Russia has no exports other than weapons and oil that are worth a damn and can be sold in international trade.
As recently as ten years ago, Moldavian Christians imorted North Carolina panty hose to be sold in Russia at a tremendous profit
“As recently as ten years ago, Moldavian Christians imorted North Carolina panty hose to be sold in Russia at a tremendous profit”
Surely, you must be joking. First, I assume you are referring to Moldova which is a FORMER Soviet republic no longer associated with Russia. Second, how many girls/ladies or whatever do you see who still wear pantyhose? Finally, have you noticed that about everything we get in our own country is imported? That is especially true for all of the essential medical needs we have had during the Wuhan virus episode. That includes PPE and even our life-critical drugs. They are not made in our own country.
I fully understand that their GDP does not compare with ours but they fall right in line with countries like Canada, Brazil, and Italy and ahead of S. Korea, Australia, and Spain at #11 in the world (GDP). That, by no means, makes them a third world country.
And, for heaven’s sake, don’t forget that have more nuclear weapons than we have and they have the means to deploy them. If you don’t believe me ask NATO or NORAD who spend a gazillion dollars protecting us (and Europe) against that threat.
I also noticed that no one was willing to take them on for their invasion and occupation of the Crimea in 2014. Do you think their military might (strength) just might be the reason?
While their former communist regime fell apart (like all of them), they have made a decent recovery with more freedoms and elections. Their people are free and have national pride — something we seem to have in great shortage and they have made many advancements both technically and for the sake of their people.
I’m not trying to beat their drum. I am only trying to be realistic about what many call one of our primary adversaries.