Chances of Brexit deal remain unclear as talks go into extra time
The clock is ticking down ahead of Britain's planned departure from the European Union on October 31. The deal would smooth Brexit by ensuring that EU rules continue to apply in Britain during a transitional phase.
"The main foundations of the agreement are ready. Theoretically we could accept this deal with Britain tomorrow and avert chaos and all the disasters linked to an uncontrolled and chaotic exit," European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday afternoon.
"Yesterday evening I was ready to make a bet that the deal is ready and accepted. Today again some doubts appeared from the British side," he told the Polish broadcasters TVN24 and Polsat News, adding that "everything should be clear" by around 11 pm (2100 GMT).
Negotiators in Brussels are "still awaiting feedback from London," an EU source said later.
A briefing on the state of play by EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for the bloc's ambassadors, originally scheduled for 2 pm (1200 CET) was pushed back several times by an overall five hours, as talks stalled.
Little detail emerged from Wednesday's negotiations, which centred on the thorny Irish backstop issue.
The key sticking points are provisions to avoid a hard border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which will leave with the rest of the United Kingdom. The open border is crucial to a Northern Irish peace deal signed over 20 years ago.
British media reported earlier that London had made fresh customs concessions, effectively paving the way for a customs border down the Irish Sea between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland.
A similar scenario had been ruled out by former British prime minister Theresa May in an earlier stage of negotiations.
Johnson rejected the Irish border provisions that May eventually agreed with Brussels. He has long hoped to secure a revised deal at this week's EU summit.
Brussels is adamant that negotiations will not take place at the summit, meaning that a breakthrough would have to be achieved beforehand, or else talks would likely continue afterwards.
Speculation has also been rife on a possible further Brexit delay, an option that Johnson has all but rejected.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who spoke to Johnson by phone early Wednesday, said he was "convinced that all parties are serious about getting an agreement by the end of this month."
He noted that there were still open issues around a consent process for Northern Ireland, as well as customs and tax matters.
French President Emmanuel Macron was more optimistic on Wednesday, saying he is "hopeful that an agreement is currently being finalized."
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel after a joint meeting, Macron said that he hopes it will be possible to sign off on an agreement at a summit of EU leaders on Thursday.
Any deal agreed by EU leaders will have to be approved by British and EU lawmakers.
Johnson has no majority in parliament, which is deeply divided over Brexit, leaving the outcome of any votes uncertain. One key player is Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has close links to the ruling Conservatives.
Johnson's government has held several rounds of talks in recent days with the DUP, which has concerns about the proposed customs border.
"Discussions continue," DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that differences remain.
In London meanwhile, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told lawmakers that Johnson will comply with a new opposition-led law that requires him to ask the European Union for a three-month Brexit delay, unless parliament approves a new deal or votes in favour of a no-deal Brexit by Saturday.
