Russia may have never been a powerhouse. In order to obtain that title, one must also have a powerhouse of leadership. With all the wonders of the Russia, they can't really do what's needed to elevate to your powerhouse status.
Agree that leadership is an essential part of it all, and until Russian nukes are no longer an issue in the equation, then "Russia" does remain the powerhouse with a final solution built into the equation.
The trick has been marveled at in this conducting of war without triggering a nuclear response by a nuclear armed nation, otherwise in the event of mass loses occuring for which might bring about such a thing if not careful.
So far so good on no nuclear attack solution being deployed, and this as the whole world becomes numb in the shadow of war's and the rumors of war.
Russia must be visited by great respected leader's who can sit down with Putin and talk peace, and this without weakness in character being shown by the negotiators who are being sent. The war has hardened heart's, and it has sewn great distrust in many ways... It is very critical in gaining back that trust when the negotiations are put into full swing in hopes to gain or give peace a chance.
Leadership's that negotiate for peace, well they must also come with a respected character that is full of self-respect that can be respected by those who are being negotiated with.
Without this very important ingredient, then the war could continue to spiral more and more out of control, and grow more and more into a greater despair as hopelessness among the civilian population's (who are taking the brunt of these man made disasters being created for them), continues..... These are disasters that are created by leadership's for whom have chosen war over peace as being the solution's to a problem. However, war is never the solution if looking back through the more recent history of it all.
Trump has a strength that is found within his character, and that attribute is one that wants to bring about solution's that are born out of respect for others, yet all the while he requires the same respect at the negotiating tables for which is then workable towards solutions. This is why both Putin and Z have high hopes in a resolve immediately after Trump takes office, and more importantly after he takes the control of it from Biden.