President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia struck a softer tone in an interview released on Wednesday, seemingly to boost his image as a stabilizing force ahead of the Russian presidential election this weekend. In the interview, Putin described the United States as seeking to avoid conflict, while also warning that Russia was prepared to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty was threatened. The comments appeared to be aimed at the Russian electorate, coming just before the election. Critics of Putin have increasingly taken aim at his portrayal of bringing security and stability to Russia, particularly in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Despite the fears of nuclear conflict, Putin sees Russia’s nuclear arsenal as an effective deterrent against Western support for Ukraine. The interview attempted to address public fears while keeping pressure on the West. For more information, you can visit www.nytimes.com
