brussels european union leaders could hand theresa may olive branch deadlocked brexit negotiations next week launch internal preparations transition new relationship britain draft conclusions submit summit chair donald tusk 27 eu governments make final brussels rejection open free trade talk also give beleaguer british prime minister hope would december up offer divorce term eu ready start talk almost right away nerve fray threats fly walk without deal come march 2019 deadline departure pound take knock eu negotiator michel barnier say new round talk week end continue deadlock british refusal clarify much pay leave rally word despite tough demand eu governments want london union ready talk avoid hard brexit ease britain less disruption probably agree keep single market couple years diplomats say draft conclusions would issue leaders 27 next friday day meet may full eu summit still agree envoys include heavyweights germany france object last week suggestion barnier eu start work transition plan eu officials note tusk european council president sound national leaders recent days brief may preparations thursday senior eu official closely involve negotiations say brussels expect major change summit text diplomat one big country say text would discuss national envoys brussels friday first version see reuters confirm barnier others say month sufficient progress agree three key elements withdrawal treaty leaders agree open trade talk may want effort defuse accusations britain eu intransigence leaders would welcome progress date three key issue right million eu citizens britain protect peace northern ireland effect new border island britain outstanding payments would pledge reassess things next summit mid-december barnier thursday speak make progress next two months order waste time decide launch talk post-brexit future would ask barnier envoys start prepare transition albeit without actually start talk britain european council invite council article 50 together union negotiator start internal preparatory discussions draft read another eu official say would avoid weeks delay launch new phase new year business leaders say vital make inform investment decisions 2018 time brexit without good idea early next year transition period look like international businesses britain would start vote feet move operations continent fear hard brexit warn uncertain grip may campaign last year brexit party hardliners demand resist eu demand ready walk deal leave europeans unsure negotiations may lead gesture may reflect willingness help reinforce office barnier british counterpart brexit secretary david davis tell reporters progress week citizens right irish border question davis renew call eu leaders give green light trade talk next week long forlorn hope barnier make clear despite new momentum may concessions speech florence last month british proposals still fail sufficient progress test notably tens billions euros eu say london owe may say britain would ensure 27 countries lose financially brexit current eu budget period 2020 would honor commitments barnier say london fail spell ready pay negotiation technical discussions useful say therefore deadlock question extremely worry european taxpayers benefit eu policies nonetheless offer hope still convince political decisive progress within reach come two months david davis organize several negotiate meet end year may say good progress welcome barnier talk progress come weeks eu offer may hope post-brexit talk summit draft text