Britain's foreign minister said on Thursday that negotiations on a trade deal with the European Union will reach a "moment of finality" this weekend, with both sides assessing chances of an agreement as slim. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the Sunday deadline set by Britain and the EU for a decision was final - though he added "you can never say never entirely."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a three-hour dinner meeting on Wednesday in hope of unblocking stalled talks, but came away saying the gaps between them were large.