. @MichelBarnier briefing reporters now on result of this week's virtual #Brexit talks.

He says it is UK's choice to go ahead with 31 December deadline despite the #COVID19 crisis.

EU will do what it can to reach some kind of agreement in time, but circumstances are challenging.

"In the middle of an economic shock which is terrible and around the corner because of Coronavirus we have to see if we can come up with a smart agreement to cushion the shock which will at any rate be linked to the UK exit from the Single Market and Customs Union" Barnier says.

Barnier says the talks were "disappointing" because UK blocking talks on the difficult areas.

"We cannot accept to make selective progress on a limited set of issues only"

"The UK cannot refuse to extend transition and at the same time slow down discussions on important areas"

"This week the UK failed to engage substantially on these topics," #Barnier says.

UK is still refusing to accept need for level playing field because of proximity.

"There will be no ambitious trade deal without an ambitious level playing field and open and fair competition."

Barnier: 'We agreed with Boris Johnson to take stock on progress and assess Northern Ireland compliance in June. We have only 2 rounds of negotiations left. We need to make real progress on the main topics'

Barnier sums up the central problem: 'The UK has chosen to leave, it cannot have the benefits of being an EU member state. It must accept this as a starting point'

[Editor's note: let's get real, there is absolutely no chance of a EU-UK free trade deal being agreed before the 31 December deadline.

@BorisJohnson has a decision to make. Extend #TransitionPeriod, or deal with #NoDealBrexit crisis along with #CoronaVirus crisis in early 2021]