Vladimir Putin has warned the West that he is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a “threat to Russian statehood, sovereignty or independence”.
The leader made the threat in an interview with Russian state TV released on Wednesday.
It comes ahead of a presidential vote this week in which he is all but certain to win another six-year termPutin said he hoped the US would refrain from actions that could trigger a nuclear conflict.
He also described US President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who fully understands the possible dangers of escalation, and said he does not think the world is heading to a nuclear war.
But he added that Russia's nuclear forces are in full readiness and "from the military-technical viewpoint, we're prepared".
The Russian leader has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since launching the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The most recent such threat came in his state-of-the-nation address last month when he warned the West that deepening its involvement in the fighting in Ukraine would risk a nuclear war.
Asked in the interview if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin responded that there has been no need for that.
He also voiced confidence that Moscow will achieve its goals in Ukraine and held the door open for talks, emphasising any deal would require firm guarantees from the West.
"It shouldn't be a break for the enemy to rearm, but a serious talk involving the guarantees of security for the Russian Federation," he said.
Putin said a recent spike in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia is part of efforts to derail the country's three-day presidential election, which starts on Friday and which he is all but certain to win.
Russian authorities reported another major attack by Ukrainian drones early on Wednesday.
One of the drones hit an oil refinery in the Ryazan region, injuring at least two people and sparking a fire.
