What Russians think is irrelevant - their country lies across both Europe and Asia, so if we want to get an overview of "European" workers, then yes, Russians do absolutely count.
They can even call themselves Australian if they want to, but it doesn't change the fact that anything West of Urals is continental Europe. Moscow, most importantly, is a European city, regardless of how Russians feel about such description.
Which brings us to my original point again: noone cares where the landmass is.
Russia does not identify with Europe by choice. On Russian TV there is nothing but mocking Europe and all it stands for; majority of Russians poll as actively hostile to Europe. Russians can't freely travel across Europe (nor can Europeans to Russia). Russia conducts military exercises simulating attacks on European capitals, and actively works to undermine and disintegrate European institutions.
Why do you people insist Russia has to be on the list is beyond me.
Russians can and do travel freely over vast swaths of Eastern part of European continent. This is incidentally a huge chunk of Europe the continent. Moreover, Russians are Europeans. It seems to me you are confused by the adjective European in European Union. European Union is a large union of states, with most territory in Europe. There are (quite a few) more countries in Europe that are not a part of EU. They are 100% as "European" as someone living in EU.
Specially in a thread like this that is far from political matters.
And how can you talk in the name of all the Russians?
I know more than one that don't think like you say.