EU European Affairs Ministers gather to discuss Brexit

Michael Roth, German Minister of State for Europe urged the British government to "stop the games" as EU ministers gathered in Brussels Tuesday to discuss the future relationship with the UK.

A new round of talks between the EU and the UK is scheduled for next week.

With the British Prime Minister's attention on curbing the rise in numbers of coronavirus cases in the UK, and the end-of-the-year transition period deadline approaching, trade talks are under strain.

Boris Johnson has ruled out extending the transition period - which kept Britain aligned to the EU's single market and customs union rules to allow trade to flow smoothly after Brexit.

EU Brexit Chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the Bloc would remain "calm and realistic."

Johnson has set a deadline of October 15 for an agreement to be reached, otherwise he has said he will simply walk away from the negotiating table.