According to petwithsupplies, Russia is a vast country with a population of over 140 million people. As such, it is home to several large cities. The largest city in Russia is Moscow, the capital and most populous city with an estimated population of 12.5 million people in 2020. Moscow is the political and economic center of the country, home to many government institutions, businesses, and universities. It also serves as a major transportation hub with several airports and railway stations connecting it to other parts of Russia and the world. St. Petersburg is another major city in Russia with an estimated population of 5 million people in 2020. Located on the Baltic Sea coast, St Petersburg is a popular tourist destination due to its unique architecture, museums, palaces, and historic sites. It is also a major cultural center with many theaters and concert halls offering performances from all around the world. Novosibirsk is another important city in Russia located near the Ob River in Siberia. With an estimated population of 1.6 million people in 2020, Novosibirsk serves as an important industrial hub for eastern Russia due to its mineral resources and large manufacturing base. Additionally, it has several universities that attract students from all over the country as well as abroad making it an important educational center for higher education in Russia as well. In 2008, Russia was emerging from a period of political and economic turmoil. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia had experienced a decade of decline before beginning to slowly recover in 2000. In 2008, President Vladimir Putin had been in power for eight years and was seen as a stabilizing force for the country. Russia’s geopolitical position was also strong during this period. It had strong ties with countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States, such as Belarus and Kazakhstan, which gave it access to large markets for its exports. Additionally, Russia had formed close relationships with many countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, such as Ukraine and Armenia. On the international stage, Russia was also an important player due to its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. This gave it a strong voice in international affairs and allowed it to shape global policy on issues such as terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation. Additionally, Russia was one of the key players involved in negotiating peace agreements between Israel and Palestine during this time period. Finally, Russia’s energy resources were also an important factor in its geopolitical strength during this period. It was one of the world’s leading producers of oil and natural gas which gave it significant leverage over other countries that depended on these resources for their own energy needs. Check payhelpcenter for Russia in 2008.