[Mr. Jeeves]

If any of this was true (pretty marginal story if you ask me), then it triggers Article 5 of the NATO agreement, and Ukraine (if ordered by them) would be defined as an enemy.

Maybe that's their ultimate out - NATO forces can strike through Poland and seize Kiev within days, securing Ukraine west of the Dneiper (and hiding any incriminating evidence) while Putin occupies the eastern part.

Say, I remember reading about some historical event just like this before, when was it? 1939, or something? :)

[pepsionice]

This article 5 discussion is going to erupt in a massive way around Germany now. There were already around 20-percent of the public who were anti-Ukraine/pro-Russia, and this just pushes people along to a new conclusion.

Whole thing is staged. So many holes, and then the story falls out of the air into the lap of the NY Times? Yeah...sure.