[Osem]

Well it's perfectly clear which side is trying to do the 'punishing' and which isn't. The EU admits they don't want to set a precedent which leads to further erosion of their pipe dream single European state vision so are desperate not to allow the UK to be seen to benefit from leaving. They'll be delighted if they can show other members that there is no chance of a better way for them outside of the 'club'.

That goes to prove that it's political ideology which is the driving force behind their stance and not a pragmatic desire for 'negotiations' to conclude with a mutually agreeable deal. What they'd really like is for the UK to concede defeat and crawl back into the EU with its tail between its legs ready to continue being one of the largest net contributors whilst being punished for daring to leave in the first place.