using this kind of rhetoric in the context of a war clearly that...

[Deinonychus]

"It is a dangerous precedent for Mr Putin to be using this kind of rhetoric in the context of a war clearly that he's losing inside Ukraine," National Security Council spokesman Mr Kirby told the BBC.
Source:Ukraine war: US says it takes Putin nuclear threat seriously

Hello, everyone! How should I understand the adverb "clearly" above in the correct way?
Is it:
a) ...a war that he's clearly losing inside Ukraine,
or
b) Mr Putin to be using this kind of rhetoric clearly...

Specifically, which verb is the adverb related to?

Thanks in advance!

 

[owlman5]

Hello.

a) ...a war that he's clearly losing inside Ukraine,
or

This interpretation makes sense. Kirby used clearly in an odd place in that sentence. People often make little mistakes when they are speaking spontaneously. This is especially true when they are distracted because somebody is recording their comments.

 

[Deinonychus]

Thank you very much for your help, owlman5!