Putin out of control? Growing risk: He is about to push the "red button"

U.S. Research Center Heritage Foundation expressed this warning, amid growing concern over the "hysterical rhetoric" of the Kremlin.
A new report published by a think tank highlights the growing risk that the Russian president will "make one of the most fateful decisions of the century" in the face of his "failed invasion of Ukraine".
It also states that the Kremlin has driven itself "into a state of near hysteria" over the "ridiculous" assessment that NATO poses a military threat to the country.
Ever since Putin invaded Ukraine, his propagandists have continued to threaten the UK with a nuclear holocaust - and the rhetoric has continued to escalate in recent months.
The study, titled "US and Allies Must Understand and Respond to Russia's Nuclear Threats," examines the real likelihood that Putin will turn to weapons of mass destruction.
Russian generals are understood to have discussed the use of tactical nuclear weapons in November, but were said to be cautious about using long-range weapons.
However, Russia "increasingly portrays the West as an enemy and now appears to accept tactical strategic nuclear weapons as an option to deter further escalation of fighting."
The country is believed to have between 1.000 and 2.000 nuclear weapons of various sizes.
Western countries see the use of such weapons as a last resort, but the report said Russia could turn to tactical nuclear weapons "early in the exercise or in the middle".
The report outlines four situations in which Putin would turn to nuclear weapons; preventing attacks on Russia; use against Russia; a threat, such as a cyber attack on Russian command and control systems; and the existential threat to Russia from conventional or nuclear weapons.
The U.S...