Any sign that the U.S. might blink first could be taken as a signal by Russian President Vladimir Putin that cracks are appearing in NATO, according to many Western analysts.

“Article 5 is the whole point of NATO,” said James Nixey, head of the Russia and Eurasia program at London’s Chatham House think tank. “Articles 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all about talking. Article 5 is all about action — it’s the only article that really means anything.”

Although talk of all-out-war between America and Russia may seem remote, the possibility that Moscow may try to extend its influence in Eastern Europe had increased in recent years, according to many Kremlin-watchers.