GDP may be lesser, but international impact is based on international trade . In both Exports and Imports, Russia is way ahead.
A domestic economy however huge it may be, if it is not international in impact, will have low visibility in the world.
Eg Pakistan economy (GDP) is larger than Switzerland, but we all know Switzerland is ahead in every development parameters as well as export and imports in the world market.
Key word is global impact.
European Union exports are 1500 billion, more than any other in the world, not really decline, and Europe sells mostly high end luxury products, I see a future when new rich people in china and India buying even more luxury goods like Mercedes makign Europe's exports even higher in the future.
