NATO chooses discretion

[Benjamin]

Hey guys, I'm back after a near two years absent. My son is getting of the age where he's interested in military gaming.

I had a thought. What if NATO designated a stop line, perhaps the Vistula? It's not unlikely that through radio intercepts, HUMINT or just nervousness, the fear that the USSR might go nuclear would be very real. Suppose NATO high command decides to stop its advance and tell German troops that they are in no way to advance across or even near the Soviet border. How do things go from there?

Does the war still go nuclear? Does China win or loose or does that theater see nukes fly? Does the USSR give up trying to keep Eastern Europe?

My feeling is that the Soviets realize their very precarious situation and look for a cease-fire in the west (probably using the good offices of Switzerland or Sweden) while at the same time going for a final push in China. Perhaps they agree to cut loose client states in Central America, The Middle East and Africa in return for an end to Western aide to China. Unfortunately, a Vistula stop line could lead to a divided Poland.

Any thoughts?
Benjamin