Comments by French president, Emmanuel Macron

  • Have always respected the UK's decision to leave
  • However, have to also protect the European project
  • Backstop is the protector of stability in Ireland

Meanwhile, we're now hearing from UK PM Johnson as well:

  • Thinks that we can get a deal
  • Must leave the EU by 31 October, deal or no-deal
  • Encouraged by talks in Berlin yesterday

A lot of on-the-surface stuff by both sides. But I reckon there won't be much details to work out given their diverging stances in any case.