The Group of Eight summit in Japan next week will bring together politically weak leaders to handle tough economic problems at a meeting where the Russian newcomer will be the center of curiosity.
The G8 countries are grappling with a faltering global economy and soaring oil and food prices for which they will likely produce statements of concern but little more, as short-term solutions for such intractable problems are not realistic, analysts say.
"This G8 is noteworthy, of course, because it's President Bush's last. It's also a G8 with a lot of political leaders who are pretty weak," Michael Green, senior adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said.
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