If US/Russia/China are top 3 countries in world, who are #4-12?

[Proto]

Russia is not by any stretch of the imagination #3. They have a smaller economy than Italy, have essentially no real allies, and their crumbling military power allows them to project force only in a small region immediately surrounding their borders, and poorly. The only reason some perceive them as such is because they are an isolated power, and so uses of their limited power and influence is more visible than the (mostly) U.S. aligned more significant nations.

I'd say 6th would be generous (after Germany, France, and Japan), and only because of their UNSC seat (which they don't deserve anyways).

Absolutely. Russian economy is weak, living standards low. Putin boasts of having some super-mega-weapons, but actually Russian forces in Syria display helplessness and inability to fight. Several Russian planes and helicopters were downed without any retaliation from  Putin. They suffered much heavier losses than Americans. Only a person duped by
Russian propaganda can believe Russia is a "top" world country.

[Proto]

Despite its weaknesses, Russia influences the world dramatically, and remains untouchable due to nuclear weapons. Its invaded Georgia, annexed Crimea, destabilized Ukraine, and blackmailed the European Union on gas/oil prices.

They could do all of this only because Putin turned out stronger than Obama. As soon as Putin leaves Russia will collapse. Can you say that the USA will collapse after Trump quits?

[Proto]

Despite its weaknesses, Russia influences the world dramatically, and remains untouchable due to nuclear weapons. Its invaded Georgia, annexed Crimea, destabilized Ukraine, and blackmailed the European Union on gas/oil prices.

They could do all of this only because Putin turned out stronger than Obama. As soon as Putin leaves Russia will collapse. Can you say that the USA will collapse after Trump quits?

That is far from certain.

What is far from certain? That Russia will collapse if Putin quits? Or that the US will collapse if Trump quits?

[Proto]

The only thing that maintain the illusion of Russia being among "leading powers" is their post-Soviet nuclear arsenal. In terms of economy, infrastructure and conventional military capability they're lagging behind significantly.

Yes, plus Russia is a permanent member of UN Security Council and as such can block initiatives of democratic nations on international level, which is completely unacceptable.

[Proto]

Despite its weaknesses, Russia influences the world dramatically, and remains untouchable due to nuclear weapons. Its invaded Georgia, annexed Crimea, destabilized Ukraine, and blackmailed the European Union on gas/oil prices.

They could do all of this only because Putin turned out stronger than Obama. As soon as Putin leaves Russia will collapse. Can you say that the USA will collapse after Trump quits?

That is far from certain.

What is far from certain? That Russia will collapse if Putin quits? Or that the US will collapse if Trump quits?

the obvious one, that Russia would collapse.

I often visit Russia and know the situation there

[Proto]

When Medvedev became President, and it wasn't yet certain that Putin would run again

No, you are wrong. In 2008 Putin an Medvedev agreed that in 2012 Putin would become president again to appoint Medvedev prime-minister. And in 2011 Medvedev and  Putin told about that plan in public https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/world/europe/medvedev-says-putin-will-seek-russian-presidency-in-2012.html
That was a unique planned shift of positions (rather than of power) that demonstrated well totalitarian nature of Putin's regime. Russian constitution prohibits one person to serve more than two consecutive presidential terms and Putin had to prepare that positions shift, but when he was prime-minister all important decisions were taken by him rather than by Medvedev including the launch of war with Georgia.