There is a nice story doing the rounds about how the west's leaders may show their displeasure at Russia's slide into authoritarianism. George W. Bush will boycott the opening banquet at July's Group of Eight summit in St Petersburg. Not wanting to be left out, but too timid to risk giving quite so much offence to President Vladimir Putin, European leaders will leave the table before dessert is served.

It could almost be true. The story is a perfect metaphor for the tangle in which the US and its partners in the old G7 now find themselves. Most of them are embarrassed by the summit, but some less than others. One or two have flirted with a token gesture of reluctance. No one has said out loud what all - or maybe most - of them think: Mr Putin's conspicuous disdain for democracy mocks the values the G8 is pledged to uphold.