EU indicates it favors amicable UK divorce

Tusk says bloc won't pursue punitive approach in Brexit talks

BRUSSELS - The European Union softened its public stance on Britain's exit from the bloc on Friday, with Council President Donald Tusk signaling some flexibility on allowing talks on a new relationship before the divorce proceedings are complete.

Draft guidelines obtained by media said that the EU and Britain must first "settle the disentanglement" of Britain from the bloc but added that "an overall understanding on the framework for the future relationship could be identified during the second phase of the negotiations under Article 50".