What kind of peace would have been negotiated? One where Russia gets to keep the territory they had already taken? Proving that all they have to do is begin an invasion and their victims will just hand them territory with the world's blessing?

Or do we live in a fantasy world where Russia invades a country with the goal of annexing it, only to immediately accept a peace deal where they hand back all the territory they just took and pay reparations for all the damage they caused? Do Unicorns poop candy and fart rainbows in this magical wonderland?

The notion of a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine is ridiculous, and - short of some sort of meaningful capitulation from Russia - anyone talking about it with a straight face should not be taken seriously.