SALZBURG, Austria - Britain is preparing to leave the European Union without an agreement on the terms of its departure unless there is a proposal it deems acceptable, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

May said that she would only agree to a "backstop" proposal for the Irish border if it worked for the whole United Kingdom.

"If there is no agreement on a deal that is acceptable to the United Kingdom, then we're preparing for no deal," she said at a news conference after meeting EU leaders in Austria.

"I believe we can get a good deal. I believe there is a growing desire to sit down and ensure that we can achieve a deal."