A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday that there are "still significant gaps" between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Earlier in the day, a report suggested the two sides could unveil a broad agreement on the issue, which is the biggest remaining point of contention in the Brexit process.
The spokesman said he would "guide away" from speculation that the UK and the EU are entering the final stage of negotiations. Chief Brexit negotiators, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, are meeting today to discuss the protocol.