Russia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov delivered a stiff rebuke to National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien’s refusal to consider President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend the treaty, as is, for one year while negotiating a long-term extension. O’Brien claimed that the Putin offer would not freeze nuclear warheads. Antonov said “It is sad that the United States is trying to turn everything upside down,” and said that “a normal dialogue,” not an “ultimatum,” was required.