Here is something that came out of the NATO meeting that did not get much coverage. This story from the Moscow Times reports that Putin considered the possibility of splitting the Ukraine into "halves". That way, part of the Ukraine would join Russia and the other half could join the circus for all Putin cared. Ok, the last part was a joke. I am not sure how serious this is because where on earth would you split the thing and how many people would want to be part of Russia's sphere of influence considering the bad blood from the USSR days. Then again, stranger things have happened.