The European Union is keeping its head down until clear signals emerge from London on what the government is planning to do next.

"The ball is in the UK's court," said the President of the European Council Donald Tusk emphasising that he felt Europe had done its part with the agreement last week of a new UK exit deal.

However, Mr Tusk is also engaged in a round of phone calls with the other 27 member states to sound out their views on a range of issues including the possibility of a third extension to the timeline for Brexit.

Initial reaction from some countries – especially France – was sceptical about the wisdom of granting the UK more time.  President Emmanuel Macron has already said he doesn't see how a further delay would be beneficial.

Political insiders say part of that is purely political since it increases the pressure on the British parliament and government to agree to the amended deal which was finalised here in Brussels after days of intensive negotiation.

EU ambassadors met in the European Council on Sunday when they apparently spent only 15 minutes discussing Brexit with no talks on substantive issues.  They expect to return for further consultations later this week.

Critics of an extension say they fear that would merely allow the British parliament to stall again and not bring the process to a swift conclusion given that the current deadline for Britain to leave the EU remains October 31^st.

On the other side of the argument, Brussels does not wish to be seen as the villain of the piece in any post-Brexit blame game and is anxious to respond to any legitimate demands from the UK which would prevent a potentially catastrophic no deal exit.

The British prime minister – although he is adamant he doesn't need or want another delay – has expressed a willingness to return to Brussels and attend another EU Council session if that would help bring about a conclusion.

Early indications from within the EU Commission suggest that won't be necessary as long as there is unanimity of opinion within the 27 member states. Any extension can only be granted if every one of the states agrees.

Although the EU could call another summit on this issue right up to the deadline of Britain's departure from the bloc, there is also a legal mechanism in place which would allow approval of an extension through a written procedure.

The EU would want assurances that any extension had a specific end in mind and Germany today said it would grant extra time if the UK announced either a second referendum or a general election.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is grappling with the issue of how to fill the huge hole in the bloc's finances once the UK's departure is finalised even though the divorce settlement still means Britain has to pay some £39bn to the EU.

After a bruising three and a half years of talks since the UK voted to leave the EU, there is a widespread feeling within the bloc that now is time to move on and make their own plans for a life without one of their biggest members and net financial contributors.