It was just about one year ago in St. Petersburg when President George W. Bush startled Chancellor Merkel with an inappropriate backrub. What a difference a year makes.
"Mr. Bush didn’t seem to know quite how to greet Mrs. Merkel, one of his strongest allies in Europe, when the two met here for their first joint event, lunch Wednesday afternoon. When Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain saw Mrs. Merkel, he greeted her in the traditional European fashion, a kiss on each cheek. Kisses from Mr. Bush, though, seemed out of the question, especially given the shoulder massage hubbub.
So when the president and Mrs. Merkel emerged from their meal, they stood side by side, close, but definitely not touching. They spoke to the press, and then Mr. Bush gave his German counterpart a hearty handshake and a couple of couple of claps on the shoulder — the sort of “attaboy” gesture a basketball player might get from his coach."
But least George was willing to make eye contact with Angela:
As the two (Bush and Putin) settled themselves into position for the traditional group photograph — the night before the meeting Thursday where Mr. Putin surprised Mr. Bush with a counter-offer on the missile plan — the two barely looked at one another. Then the president spotted a friendly face in the crowd: Mrs. Merkel. He waved to her, right over Mr. Putin’s head.
It wasn't that long ago that President Bush looked into Vladimir Putin's eyes and "saw his soul". Now he avoids all eye contact with the Russian leader.
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