The prime minister said “the mood music is good” following talks with EU leaders, but preparations for no deal continue.
Mr Johnson insists the backstop – part of the withdrawal agreement reached by his predecessor Theresa May and the EU, but not ratified by Parliament – must be ditched if a new deal with Brussels is to be reached before then.
Brexit is due to happen on 31 October.
Read more: Boris Johnson: New deal with EU won’t be a cinch