State, traditionally powerful one, withdrawing quietly (6)

I believe the answer is:

russia

'state' is the definition.
(Russia is an example)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for russia that I've seen before include "Moscow its capital" , "nation" , "A leather" , "Land of the tsars" , "Putin's country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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