The EU hasn't threatened anyone, they have merely stated if you want a deal with the Union, these are the terms with in reason, take them or leave them. And they have been pretty consistent from the start. They are not going to jeopardise the coherence of the remaining 27 counties by pandering to the whims and fancies of what they see as a dysfunctional Conservative government.
That is a threat, to which Boris has stood up to and running with the peoples vote (like it or not), and now they have started to mellow a bit because of that stance from Boris.
Also - not just Conservatives, they're all a shambles without question, and are not working for the country, only their own paycheck.
Still, we need to Brexit as that is what the vote wanted, and all the none voters can jog on imho, as if their too bloody lazy to vote - you take what comes.
And as for coherence of the 27 nations ?, they're waiting to see what we do - then the domino effect will kick in.
If the EU wants to remain, it needs to realise we do matter - and as such should be listened to, not shut in the cupboard.