May seeks Brexit momentum with promise to EU nationals in UK

British Prime Minister Theresa May has denied treating European Union citizens in Britain as bargaining chips in Brexit negotiations.

Talks between EU and British negotiators have stalled over several issues, including the future status of the 3 million EU citizens in Britain and the 1 million Britons in other EU countries.

Some have accused politicians of using them as pawns in the deal-making.

In an open letter to EU nationals published Wednesday, May said "nothing could have been further from the truth."

She says Britain and the EU are in "touching distance" on a citizens' rights deal and that EU citizens already living legally in Britain will be able to stay.

May says registration will be accomplished through a "streamlined digital process" that a panel of European nationals will help oversee.

She and other EU leaders meet Thursday in Brussels.