Fun to watch the battle of the anonymous US officials in the press.
Here are some anonymous US officials suggesting a sustainable peace deal might be available in winter: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/ukraine-russia-war-winter-diplomacy-rcna56190?icid=election_results
Winter could be diplomatic opportunity in Ukraine-Russia war, U.S. and Western officials say
Ukraine and Russia could have an opportunity for diplomacy as winter arrives and U.S. and Western officials anticipate a potential fighting slowdown in the war.
By contrast, here are some other anonymous officials suggesting a sustainable peace deal is still very far off
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/us/politics/ukraine-russia-peace-talks.html
Ukraine Peace Talks Remain Distant Even as Moscow Signals a Retreat
President Biden and European leaders say they cannot push Ukraine and Russia into negotiations, though some U.S. lawmakers are questioning aid for an open-ended war.
DOD seems to be on team "winter peace deal is possible"
https://twitter.com/DanLamothe/status/1590500796118228cState Dept seems to be on team "eh, I don't see it"
My opinion (take it or leave it, you get what you pay for) is that R would definitely go for an operational pause under guise of a ceasefire, but no peace deal would be sustainable until middle of next year at the bare minimum.
Pwnallthethings
Dave