As early as August 2023 senior leadership at NATO, at least informally, suggested that the emergence of a downsized New Ukraine would be welcomed.  On November 1, 2023 in an interview and accompanying article, General Valery Zaluzhny, then head of the Ukraine military high command, acknowledged the harsh military reality — stalemate. The Ukrainian political process of adjusting to a new reality is unfolding among the “troika” of the Rada (parliament), Presidency, and military high command — so an “October surprise” may be brewing.  The unilateral declaration of a New Ukraine will reflect the troika’s consensus.