Certainly, Lenin in the first weeks of his new regime did not dare to say out loud that his policy might amount to accepting a separate peace on any terms the Germans would offer. Nor did the Central Powers demand this sacrifice. In acquiescing to an armistice, Germany agreed to negotiate on whatever version of the Petrograd peace formula the Bolsheviks could square with their conscience. Furthermore, Germany did not demand that Russia formally break ranks with the Entente. Instead, Russia and Germany issued a joint declaration, inviting all the other combatants to join the talks.
