UK Prime Minister Theresa May said at her Downing Street residence that the Brexit delay is “a matter of great personal regret”. She added “I passionately hope that (MPs) will find a way to back the deal I have negotiated with the EU, a deal that delivers on the referendum and is the very best deal negotiable, and I will continue to work night and day to secure the support” for the deal. Though, she emphasized she’s not preferred t delay Brexit any further than June 30.

European Council President Donald Tusk offered to approve Article 50 extension. But that would be “conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons.” If his proposal is approved by all other 27 EU members, and there is a positive vote in the House of Commons next week, the EU can “finalize and formalize the decision on extension in the written procedure”. Tusk is ready to call for another EU summit next week if needed.

This position is rather unified in the EU as officials repeated emphasized that there much be a purpose for the extension, be it until May 23 or June 30. But then, the question remains on whether May could secure enough support for her deal. It remains a developing story.

Responses from EU regarding UK’s request for Article 50 extensions are generally hardline. European Council President Donald Tusk said EU will only approval short Article 50 extension if UK Parliament passes the Brexit deal. And, if the vote is passed in the Commons next week, the extension can then be finalized using a written procedure. Tusk is also ready to call a summit next week if needed.

Full statement of Tusk.

“In the light of the consultations that I have conducted over the past days, I believe that a short extension would be possible.

But it would be conditional on a positive vote on the withdrawal agreement in the House of Commons.

The question remains open as to the duration of such an extension.

At this time, I do not foresee an extraordinary European council.

If the leaders approve my recommendations and there is a positive vote in the House of Commons next week, we can finalise and formalise the decision on extension in the written procedure.

However, if there is such a need, I will not hesitate to invite the members of the European council for a meeting to Brussels next week.

Although Brexit fatigue is increasingly visible and justified, we cannot give up seeking until the very last moment a positive solution – of course, without opening up the withdrawal agreement.

We have reacted with patience and goodwill to numerous turns of events and I am confident that also now we will not lack the same patience and goodwill at this most critical point in this process.”

Earlier French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said also said the extension will only be granted if May could provide guarantee for passing the deal. He said: “A situation in which Mrs May was not able to present to the European Council sufficient guarantees of the credibility of her strategy would lead to the extension request being dismissed and opting for a no-deal exit.”

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said “We’ve always said that if the Council has to decide on a deadline extension for Britain, then we’d like to know why and what for.”

According to his spokesperson, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned UK Prime Minister Theresa May in a phone call that short Brexit extension has to be complete before May 23.

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The spokesman also later said:

“President Juncker said to the prime minister that he thinks it’s a good idea she sets out her thoughts to the leaders ahead of the EU Council.

However, the president has clearly warned the prime minister against including a date for the extension that will be after the European parliament elections. That’s why he repeated in this call his advice, which he set out in his letter on March 11, that the withdrawal has to be complete before May 23, otherwise we risk facing institutional difficulties and legal uncertainty, given the European elections date.

European elections have to be held if the extension date is beyond May 23. This is the position of the commission and this is what the president informed the prime minister again.”

While UK PM May is seeking Article 50 extension to June 30, an EU document seen by Reuters noted that it won’t grant any extension beyond May 23.

The document noted that “any extension offered to the United Kingdom should either last until 23 May 2019 or should be significantly longer and require European elections.”

And, “this is the only way of protecting the functioning of the EU institutions and their ability to take decisions.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May confirms at PMQs in parliament that has written to European Council President Donald Tusk to seek extension of article 50 until June 30. She noted that MPs voted for only a short extension last Thursday. Also, holding European election would not be in anyone’s interest. May also said the government will hold another meaningful vote.

May said: “As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30th of June … I have therefore this morning written to President Tusk, the president of the European Council, informing him that the UK seeks an extension to the article 50 period until the 30th June… The government intends to bring forward proposals for a third meaningful vote. If that vote is passed, the extension will give the House time to consider the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. If not, the House will have to decide how to proceed.”

Here is May’s letter to Tusk.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated the EU’s stance on Brexit with Germany’s Deutschlandfunk radio. He said “there will be no re-negotiations, no new negotiations, no additional guarantees in addition to those already given”. He added “we have intensively moved towards Britain, there can be no more.”

Juncker also hinted at another EU summit next week and said “my view this morning at quarter past 8 is that we will not get this through this week and we will have to meet again next week”.

Separately, both BBC and Sky reported that UK Prime Minister Theresa May will request only a short delay to Brexit in her letter to European Council President Donald Tusk today. But the actual length will only be confirmed when the letter is published.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds also said “I don’t see how a long delay gives certainty. Actually we’ve had long time already… People are a bit tired of waiting for parliament to get our act together and get the deal passed… Unless and until a deal is finalized, there remains the prospect of the risk of no deal.”