Theresa May surrounded herself with powerful friends as European leaders gathered to discuss Brexit in Brussels on Thursday. The British prime minister was filmed in animated conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on one side, and French President Emmanuel Macron on the other, before formal proceedings got under way.  The friendly scene was a far cry from the summit in December 2016, when May was pictured standing awkwardly alone in the middle of the room, adjusting the sleeves of her jacket, while other leaders talked and embraced each other. It was a sign of how careful EU leaders are being not to humiliate May at this summit, even as they refuse her request to speed up Brexit talks and move on to discussing a trade accord and a transition phase. Earlier on Thursday, Merkel gave May some encouragement that Brexit talks could finally move on from the divorce terms to a future trading relationship by year-end. “There has been progress. At this point, it’s not yet sufficient to begin the second phase, but it’s encouraging enough to continue working in order to reach the beginning of the second phase in December.” Merkel added: “I want to continue to hold these negotiations in a positive spirit.” Despite the positive words and warm body language, EU leaders will not yet give May what she really wants. They need to know more about how it will pay its dues before agreeing to move on.