"Russian President Vladimir Putin can become very dangerous and unpredictable if he puts his back against the wall." This is what the current director of the CIA, William Burns, stated in an interview for CBS.
"Putin should be concerned not only about what is happening on the battlefield in Ukraine, but also about what is happening inside Russia and internationally," Burns said.
The head of the Central Intelligence Agency has pointed out that, despite the promise made by China in February for a "friendship without borders", Beijing has so far refused to offer military support.
"Putin now feels like his shoulders are against the wall and he can be very dangerous and unpredictable," Burns told CBS.
Meanwhile, the British "The Times" reports that the head of the Kremlin is preparing a nuclear exercise on the border with Ukraine.
Although there is no confirmation, the London daily writes that Putin is ready to use weapons of mass destruction through a nuclear test.
"The Kremlin is showing the possibility of a significant escalation as its army is losing ground on the battlefield," the newspaper wrote, citing confidential sources.
Meanwhile, other sources speak of a Russian military train of the nuclear division, which has already left for Ukraine.