Answer :
Final answer:
President Nixon sought to improve relations ( Option C) with the Soviet Union in 1969, a policy called détente and wanted to transform the USSR from a rival to a cooperative partner on the international stage. His actions included leveraging the Sino-Soviet split and working towards arms control, signaling a clear preference for reduced Cold War tensions.
Explanation:
In 1969, President Nixon's stance toward the Soviet Union was oriented toward improving relations, a policy known as détente. His administration sought to minimize the future challenges posed by the Soviet Union by treating it less as an adversary and more as a partner within the international system. This included opening relations with China to isolate the Soviets and leverage this relationship to push for advantages in negotiations, particularly around arms control and the Vietnam War. Nixon and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev communicated frequently, and both sides agreed that some forms of Cold War competition, such as nuclear proliferation, were mutually destructive. Consequently, Nixon's stance is best reflected in the choice that he wanted improvement in relations (Option C), as demonstrated by his actions and policies pursued during his presidency.
