The EU is to begin preparing for its post-Brexit trade negotiations with the UK, while refusing to discuss the matter with the British government, reports BBC.
An internal draft document suggests the 27 EU countries should discuss trade among themselves while officials in Brussels prepare the details.
The draft text could yet be revised.
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said a lack of compromise over the UK's financial commitments was impeding progress - saying "they have to pay".
Speaking in Luxembourg, Mr Juncker used the analogy of someone covering the bill after ordering 28 beers at a bar to explain the EU's position - and added that the Brexit negotiating process was taking longer than expected.
He also dismissed the wrangling over citizens' rights - another sticking point - as "nonsense", calling on the UK to adopt a "common sense" approach and say "things will stay as they are" after Brexit.
Downing Street said "good progress" was being made in the talks.
As the fifth round of talks ended in Brussels on Thursday, the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said there was "deadlock" over the UK's Brexit bill.
He said there had not been enough progress to move to the next stage of post-Brexit trade talks - as the UK had hoped - but added that he hoped for "decisive progress" by the time of the December summit of the European Council.
The draft paper submitted to the 27 EU states by European Council president Donald Tusk, suggests free trade talks could open in December - should Prime Minister Theresa May improve her offer on what the UK pays when it leaves.
