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May 15, 2020 "We are prepared for all the options", including the hypothesis of a no-deal. Brexit chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said this after the third week of negotiations on the future partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom."I am still determined but not optimistic," said Barnier stressing that the United Kingdom has not yet understood the real consequences of leaving the single market and the customs union.
"There has been no progress on the most difficult issues," said the EU chief negotiator.
"Today there is still a real misunderstanding by the United Kingdom of the objective and sometimes mechanical consequences of exiting the single market and the customs union. To make progress in the negotiations, if it is still the intention of the United Kingdom to obtain an agreement with the EU, the United Kingdom must be more realistic and change its strategy ". said Michel Barnier. "You can't have the best of both worlds," Barnier warned, accusing the UK of seeking "the benefits of a member state without obligations."
"The negotiation round in early June needs tangible progress," Barnier said. "An extension of the transition period ending in late 2020 must be requested by the British by the end of June. London has always said it will not ask for it.