EU says no, again, to renegotiating Brexit deal as May arrives in Brussels

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday the EU could only "add wording" to the Political Declaration about what they aim for in their future relationship.

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker greets UK Prime Minister Theresa May in Brussels on Thursday.

May's meeting with EU leaders takes place amid a frosty atmosphere after European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted there was a "special place in Hell" for people who "promoted Brexit" without a plan to execute it. His words rattled politicians in the UK and drew sift condemnation from Brexiteers.

The Prime Minister is due to meet Tusk later on Thursday.

British lawmakers voted last month to send May back to Brussels to renegotiate the terms of the Brexit deal, specifically over concerns regarding the Irish backstop. The backstop -- an insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member -- has been a particularly thorny issue in May's deal, with British politicians firm that they will not back her deal without changes.

Brexit clock is ticking, as opposition throws support behind potential deal

In a joint statement, May and Juncker described their meeting as "robust but constructive" and said they'd agreed that the UK and EU "should hold talks as to whether a way through can be found that would gain the broadest possible support in the UK Parliament and respect the guidelines agreed by the European Council."

As she arrived to meet Juncker, May was met by an anti-Brexit protester who jumped in front of her car while holding a poster that read "Don't Crash Out!" The man was swiftly intercepted by security.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for May to find a deal before Britain's departure from the EU in 50 days. The country remains on a knife-edge over Brexit, with Westminster standing strong on the backstop and the EU emphatically ruling out a new, renegotiated deal.

The chances, as each day rolls on, point more and more towards the UK crashing out of the bloc without a deal -- which could have catastrophic effects on food and medicine supply, businesses and travel.

CNN's James Frater contributed from Brussels.

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