France's Le Drian blames Britain's 'attitude' for Brexit talks impasse

France's foreign minister on Monday blamed the stalemate in Brexit talks on what he called Britain's intransigent and unrealistic attitude.

Negotiations between Britain and the European Union on future relations after its Jan. 31 exit from the bloc have made scant progress, with both sides accusing the other of posing unachievable demands. "The negotiations are not advancing because of an intransigent and, let's be clear, unrealistic attitude of the United Kingdom," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a speech to French ambassadors based in Europe.

Le Drian, who was speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, said the EU was as united as ever in reaching an ambitious Brexit deal, but the ball was in Britain's court.