The European Union is ready to take up proposals from the U.K. to break the deadlock in the Brexit negotiations, but U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tempered hopes of a quick breakthrough with just over two months before the country's scheduled departure from the bloc.
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said Brussels is ready to analyze proposals that are "realistic, operational and compatible with our principles" but insisted that the pending Brexit deal struck with Theresa May, Johnson's predecessor, is the "best deal possible."
"EU wants an orderly withdrawal but is ready for any outcome," Barnier wrote on Twitter.
Barnier made the comments on the same day Johnson cautioned the public over the prospect of a swift deal with Brussels despite some progress made, according to Bloomberg News. "[T]his is not going to be a cinch; this is not going to be easy," he was quoted as saying in the report.
Earlier in the week, Johnson asked the EU to remove the Irish backstop plan from the pending Brexit deal and instead include a pledge to introduce "alternative arrangements." European Council President Donald Tusk rejected that request.
French President Emmanuel Macron has cast doubts over the chances of a new Brexit deal, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said a solution for the Irish backstop issue might be achieved in 30 days or ahead of the Oct. 31 Brexit date.
