France demanded that UK pay Brexit bill between 70 to 118 billion USD (Photo: VNA)

He agreed with EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier that the two sides have not made significant progress in their divorce talks to begin discussing a new relationship. Le Maire said they can launch the next stage only when an agreement is reached on the financial settlement even if it is not down to the exact euro.

The EU estimates that the cost for the UK to leave the union is between 70 to 118 billion USD. A British newspaper reported that UK Prime Minister Theresa May is prepared to pay 53 billion USD.