Britain is set to propose plans that would allow ministers to unilaterally scrap part of the Brexit deals, despite warnings from Brussels that such unilateral action would represent a breach of international law.

Throwing their full weight behind Kiev, France on Friday announced that the G7 (Group of Seven) industrialized nations are “strongly united” in backing Ukraine until its “victory” against Russia.

Britain said on Wednesday it would not shy away from taking action to resolve post-Brexit trade tensions in Northern Ireland as it rejected European Union proposals to resolve the standoff, in the latest escalation between the two sides.

British foreign minister Liz Truss has told officials to be ready to trigger a suspension of parts of the Brexit trade deal to force the European Union into a deal on arrangements governing Northern Ireland.

Russia is set to hold fire and open humanitarian corridors in several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev and Mariupol.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the Vienna talks are nearing a critical point.

Russia’s foreign minister says his British counterpart appeared ignorant and not listening to his proposals over the Ukraine crisis during their meeting in Moscow.

Russia says US and European threats and ultimatums against Moscow would do nothing to ease tensions over Ukraine.

NATO and Britain say they have no plans for sending troops to Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion, an allegation dismissed by Moscow as propaganda.

The UK has threatened Russia with massive consequences and financial sanctions if Ukraine is invaded.