Yevgeny Fedorov's nutty idea

Yevgeny Fedorov is a member of Russia's Duma (national legislature).  He recently attracted some concerned attention by proposing that Russia should rescind its recognition of the independence of the Baltic states, which he claimed would force NATO to expel them, since NATO does not allow member states which have territorial disputes, and all the Baltic states' territory would be in dispute if Russia laid claim to it.

Michael Ryan, a former US foreign-policy official, was quick to correct Fedorov and to point out that, in reality, NATO has no process for expelling member states on any grounds.  Fedorov's error probably stemmed from the fact that NATO does not accept new member states which have already-existing territorial disputes, which is why Ukraine has not been eligible -- since 2014 it has had disputes with Russia over Crimea and Donbas.  Obviously the sudden onset of a new territorial dispute cannot be grounds for expelling a member, since in that case, if Russia invaded a member state, the member state would have to be expelled (since the invasion would, by itself, create a new territorial dispute), thus negating the purpose of the alliance.

We probably shouldn't take Fedorov's befuddled grasp of foreign policy too seriously.  Clownish politicians exist everywhere, and authoritarian regimes are breeding grounds for stupidity and delusional thinking in high places.  Fedorov might be the Russian equivalent of Marjorie Taylor Greene.  In the past he has expressed other rather eccentric views.

Nevertheless, we should expect a repudiation of his remarks from Russian officialdom, the way we would if an American Congressman were to issue an equally stupid pronouncement about foreign policy.

Some related links:

Russia has made a few small advances in Donbas, at great cost, while other offensives have failed.  Ukraine too is suffering heavy casualties as it awaits powerful weapons promised by the West.  The leaders of several major European countries have committed not to pressure Ukraine to appease Russia for peace.

In Germany, the far right and far left unite in trying to backstab Ukraine.

Russia has started making bootleg parts for its airliners, to replace those it can no longer import due to sanctions.

This is a graduation in Ukraine (found via Hackwhackers).