Two things are currently going on:
1) The EU does not believe that Boris is serious and
2) It believes that 'as the British have always yielded to EU pressure before, they will do so again.'
Add a dash of 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' and that is pretty much where Brussels stands.
(European independent nations saying 'no' to them - how very absurd!)
My future voting intentions for the remainder of my life are wholly dependent on Boris holding firm. A Tory vote for all time - or never again. Which is it to be, Boris?