British newspaper The Guardian, citing sources in the British government, reported that written proposals from Boris Johnson's Cabinet can enter the EU no earlier than two weeks before the EU summit on October 17-18. London has stepped up talks with Brussels but refuses to immediately deliver its proposals because it fears tensions with European leaders over possible disagreement with some of its positions and critical attitude towards them. At present, Brussels has only a draft of the Brexit agreement, from which Britain has ruled out a clause on the insurance plan. Sources said alternative proposals for the Irish border were being discussed by negotiators, but they had not yet been finalised. As the British prime minister said back in August, if the "backstop" is abolished, the progress in the conclusion of the agreement with the EU will be rapid.