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By Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter

The flurry of EU leaders all heading to Brussels used to be an infrequent phenomenon.

But what was once a "diplomatic dash" has become a "ministerial marathon", as the premiers head back to the Belgian capital again and again because of Brexit.

This afternoon they are congregating for yet another summit to try to avoid a no-deal divorce in just two day's time.

So what is happening when, who wants what and how long could Britain be facing staying in the EU by the end of the night?

Sky News has your ultimate guide to the event.

What is happening when?

3.40pm: Theresa May arrived in Brussels after setting off from PMQs in the House of Commons.

She will meet EU Council President Donald Tusk for one-to-one talks before the summit officially begins.

The first order of business will be an update from the EU Parliament's President Antonio Tajani, from which Mrs May will be excluded.

When that wraps up, the prime minister will be allowed into the room and pitch for a Brexit delay - she will ask for an extension that lasts until 30 June.

She will then have to leave again while the premiers debate her request, and it is they that have the final say on any new deadline.

Last time the talks dragged on for an extra four hours, so it could be another long night.

We can probably expect a news conference from Mrs May when the final delay is agreed.

Who wants what?

EU 27: It seems the EU is at least united on granting the UK some kind of Brexit delay.

Diplomatic sources have told Sky News that no country at a meeting of EU27 Europe ministers on Tuesday spoke out against the idea of a long delay.

But they added that France, Spain, Greece, Austria and Slovakia signalled they were more in favour of the prime minister's suggestion - 30 June.

That would take Britain to the brink of elections for the next session of the European Parliament, which is due to sit from 2 July.

Donald Tusk: He has suggested EU leaders consider a "flexible" delay that would "last only as long as necessary" and until April 2020 at the most.

Draft conclusions from Wednesday's summit say the EU has agreed to a delay but says it should be no longer than "xx.xx.xxxx".

Tory Brexiteers: They do not want the EU to grant any delay, and are putting pressure on it to let the UK fall out of the bloc without a deal.

Remainers: They will be boosted if a long delay is granted, as it could give enough time for the UK government to hold another referendum.

Cabinet: The issue has proved divisive among senior ministers.

Both International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and the Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom abstained on a vote that forced Mrs May to ask to delay Brexit until 30 June - something she has already asked for.

What do the experts say?

Sky News' foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes writes: Barring something wildly unexpected happening tonight, the one thing that can be said with any certainty is Britain will not be leaving the European Union at the end of this week.

Instead the question is about what length of extension the EU27 will grant the UK and what conditions will they attach?

There is a lot of chatter behind the scenes and it does appear as though a long, flexible extension of up until the end of the year or until spring 2020 will be approved.

However until Theresa May addresses her EU counterparts about her Brexit plan and they discuss - without her - their position it is impossible to state for sure what the new extension will look like.

France is thought to want additional assurances that the UK will not try to disrupt EU business, such as decisions on the future budget.

But most other member states are more sanguine, trusting the UK will act honourably - the term is "sincere cooperation".

Today will be uncomfortable viewing for a British audience as it will expose the UK's impotence over the Brexit process and how the prime minister's desire for an extension until 30 June will most likely be politely ignored.

However, with a bit of pride swallowing, she will probably accept whatever extension she is offered provided it is flexible, meaning that the timing of Brexit day comes back under UK control.

This is because if Mrs May is able to get parliament to agree on her withdrawal agreement or some other plan for departure before 30 June then - even if European parliamentary elections have to be held in the UK - the successful candidates will not ever have to take up their seats from July because the UK will have already left the EU - but that is a very big if.

What are the different possible outcomes?

No-deal: It is unlikely but still legally possible that the UK leaves the EU with no deal on Friday.

Extension: This would mean Britain continuing to prepare to vote in the European Parliament elections from 23-25 May, which has caused uproar among Brexiteers.

If Mrs May gets her way, the new Brexit date will be 30 June.

But the draft conclusions leave open the chance of a substantially longer delay.

It adds that if Britain refuses to hold European Parliament elections then Brexit will happen on 1 June.

But given contingency plans are already being put in place for this to happen, and the Conservatives have started selecting candidates to stand, it seems this deadline can be ignored.