Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko reportedly said that the Kremlin wants an 'ironclad' guarantee that Ukraine will be prohibited from joining NATO. Grushko made no mention of the 30-day cease-fire proposal, but reiterated Russia's opposition to the deployment of European troops to Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a virtual meeting with 26 nations potentially willing to be involved in a 'peacekeeping force' in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron stated the intention to deploy a few thousand men per nation to carry out training programs, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed willingness to send troops. Grushko argued that a solution to the conflict could only be sustained if Ukraine is barred from NATO membership and foreign military contingents are kept out.