Putin set to "double down" in second, risky phase of war: CIA director

The second phase of Russia's war in Ukraine — now concentrated in the Donbas in the east and south — is "at least as risky" and perhaps "even riskier" than the first, eight-week part of the conflict, CIA Director William Burns said Saturday, warning that President Vladimir Putin could "double down" on harsh tactics to boost his army's flagging momentum.

"I think Putin has staked a lot on this second phase of what is an incredibly ugly and brutal offensive against the Ukrainians," Burns said at a public event in Washington, D.C., adding the Russian leader was likely trying "to adapt to some of the lessons from the failures of the first phase."

Burns spoke at the Financial Times' Weekend Festival at a moderated question-and-answer session.