French FM on Brexit, Navalny, Greece-Turkey crisis

Britain has tried to "divide the Europeans" on the issue of Brexit, France's foreign minister said Sunday, as the European Union and U.K. remain deadlocked in their talks on future trade ties after a transitional divorce period ends on Dec. 31.

“We would prefer a deal, but a deal on the basis of our mandate,” Jean-Yves Le Drian told France Inter radio. “There is room for action, but the whole package, including the fishing package, needs to be taken up in order to avoid a ‘no deal.’”

Le Drian said the 27 nations remained united.

"It's not going well, it's not going well. And there are only two months left. So it's urgent," he added.

This came as Britain's top negotiator said the U.K. was “not afraid to walk away” if the European Union does not give ground on key issues.

David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier are due to meet in London on Tuesday for the eighth round of negotiations since Britain left the now 27-nation bloc on Jan. 31.

The two sides are trying to strike a new deal on trade, security and a host of other issues, but talks are deadlocked.

The key sticking points are European boats’ access to U.K. fishing waters and state aid to industries.

The EU is determined to ensure a “level playing field” for competition so British firms can’t undercut the bloc’s environmental or workplace standards or pump public money into U.K. industries.

Le Drian also urged Turkey to join discussions on the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, noting that EU foreign ministers had discussed "retaliatory measures" that might otherwise be triggered.

He also insisted that Russia "tell us the truth" on the poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, warning that "Russians know very well what type of sanctions we have at our disposal."