Putin is clinging on the edge of an abyss by his fingernails.

Perhaps one of the more significant developments in Putin's war with Ukraine is the fact that, as reported by John Revill (left),

"Switzerland is close to breaking with centuries of tradition as a neutral state, as a pro-Ukraine shift in the public and political mood puts pressure on the government to end a ban on exports of Swiss weapons to war zones.
...
"Other countries want to support Ukraine and do something for the security and stability of Europe... They cannot understand why Switzerland has to say no."

Increasing numbers of Swiss voters agree. A survey by pollsters Sotomo published on Sunday showed 55% of respondents favour allowing weapons re-exports to Ukraine." (Reuters : 7 February 2023) (my emphasis)

That Switzerland is on the verge of breaking "Swiss neutrality, which dates back to 1815 and is enshrined by treaty in 1907" (ibid John Revill) underscores the dangers of Putin's build-up for a massive onslaught against Ukraine in the coming weeks. 

As reported by Russel Kirby (right),

"Tens of thousands of Russians are being sent to eastern Ukraine as part of an offensive planned after 15 February, according to the Ukrainian governor of Luhansk region.

"We are seeing more and more reserves being deployed in our direction," said Serhiy Haidai, who expected a three-pronged Russian advance.

Ukraine has warned repeatedly of an imminent offensive." (BBC News : 7 February 2023) (my emphasis)

ABC News (Australia) : 3 February 2023 : YouTube

Countering Putin's build-up and expected onslaught against Ukraine's forces in eastern Ukraine, Felicia Schwartz and Ben Hall (left) report that,

"Kyiv’s allies have repeatedly crossed their red lines on weapons deliveries...
...
The US and its partners have committed many of the systems once considered off limits, most recently tanks as well as Himar guided missiles and Patriot missile defence units, among other systems." (Financial Times : 8 February 2023) (my emphasis)

They further report that,

"Western officials and analysts have offered multiple reasons for the shift in tone, including concern in China about Russian nuclear brinkmanship. One senior western diplomat said it was the effect of a co-ordinated US-British-French warning to Moscow that any resort [by Putin] to [use] nuclear weapons [against Ukraine] would have “catastrophic consequences”." (ibid Felicia Schwartz and Ben Hall)

Even the, "United Nations chief Antonio Guterres (right) has warned nations that he fears the likelihood of further escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict means the world is heading towards a "wider war." " (Ireland's RTE : 6 February 2023) (my emphasis)

Underscoring Antonio Guterres's warning that the world is heading towards a "wider war.", Olivia Burke now reports that,

"RUSSIA has suffered its deadliest day on the battlefield after Ukraine claimed to have killed over 1,000 troops in just 24 hours.

The blood of Putin's men was reportedly spilled before they had even advanced 30ft as they staged another winter assault in the east." (The Sun : 7 February 2023) (my emphasis)

This echo of Russia's WW2 'Stalingrad strategy' that Putin is now employing in eastern Ukraine could be due, as reported by Stephen Neukam (left), 

"Abbas Gallyamov, Putin’s former speechwriter who is now a political commentator, said the Russian president could be facing a rising tide of opposition at home as the war wears on, in an interview with CNN." (The Hill : 31 January 2023) (my emphasis)

Abbas Gallyamov goes on to explain that,

"“The Russian economy is deteriorating,” Gallyamov said. “The war is lost. There are more and more dead bodies returning to Russia, so Russians will be coming across more difficulties and they’ll be trying to find explanation why this is happening, looking around to the political process and they’ll be answering themselves: ‘Well, this is because our country is governed by an old tyrant, an old dictator.’” (ibid Stephen Neukam)

 CNN : 3 February 2023 : YouTube

Luke Whelan (left) further reports that,

"Russia will "finally feel the impact" of its invasion of Ukraine as the country reports major economic trouble. The country’s deficit reached $25billion in January, meaning it had spent far more than it had earned.
...
"This year Russians will finally feel the impacts of the war - huge amounts of Russian blood and treasure will be expended for Putin’s vanity project in Ukraine," said the economist Timothy Ash responding to the latest figures." (Express : 7 February 2023) (my emphasis)
 

 

Putin is now clinging by his fingernails on the edge of the abyss into which he is about to fall.

 

(to be continued)