eli5 – Russia has an economy smaller than Canada or Italy. How does it continue to be a threatening, great power without going bankrupt?

Question

eli5 – Russia has an economy smaller than Canada or Italy. How does it continue to be a threatening, great power without going bankrupt?

In: 808

Answer 1

They have the will to do it.

Canada or Italy isn’t willing to spend as much on military, and neither is everyone around Russia.

Or in the case of Poland, they can’t build up the forces quick enough to make a difference.