However, some American officials wonder if this message is an attempt by Russia at "misdirection" which will change once Russian forces gain momentum in a war that has been showing signs of a stalemate.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, while maintaining a strong posture openly, has been signalling via backchannels that he is open to a cease-fire after a near-two-year-long war with Ukraine.
Putin has indicated that he is satisfied with the Ukraine territory captured by Russia and therefore ready for an armistice, reported the New York Times on Dec 23, citing former and current Russian, American and international officials who received the message from Putin's envoys.
