FRANCE: The Franco-German couple were at the core of the "quadripartite meeting" held here yesterday between President Jacques Chirac, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero.
The three older leaders met several times in the run-up to the Iraq war, forming a united front that enraged the US president, George W Bush. Two years ago, Mr Zapatero's predecessor, José María Aznar, was in the Bush camp, but Mr Zapatero finds the Franco-German axis more attractive. So he tagged along like a little brother yesterday.
"I took our troops out of Iraq because I believe our future is in Europe," Mr Zapatero said. Mr Schröder said his opposition to the war had not changed "one iota" and Mr Chirac agreed, though both said they want to help now.
The four were ostensibly preparing for the May 10th EU-Russian summit, which will also be held in Paris. There was talk of a treaty involving freedom of movement, educational exchanges and human rights.
But the real reason, suspected some of the EU members who were left out, was the need of Germany (especially), France and Spain for Russian gas and petrol. The most significant decision was for their four energy ministers to meet within two months.
Despite a reputation for suppressing free media in his own country, Mr Putin spoke most frankly at the press conference. A Chinese journalist asked whether Moscow thought the Chinese assembly's law against the secession of Taiwan would prevent Europe lifting its arms embargo against China.
"We sell huge amounts of weapons to China," Mr Putin said. "As far as we are concerned, the less competition the better."
Chancellor Schröder burst out laughing at Mr Putin's bald statement.
"As for secession," Mr Putin continued, "we support the territorial integrity of China. We support Beijing's right to achieve that integrity."
Mr Putin is to travel to Ukraine today. The Europeans were at pains to recognise Russia's "special relationship" with Ukraine, and Mr Putin seemed to warn the EU against inviting Ukraine to join Europe.
On February 24th in Bratislava, President Bush criticised Mr Putin for his dictatorial drift. That was before the suspected assassination by Russian forces of the Chechen leader, Aslan Maskhadov, on March 8th. The Chechnya Committee and Amnesty International held a protest here yesterday, but Messers Chirac, Schröder and Zapatero gave Mr Putin the red carpet treatment.
Russia is this year's guest of honour at the French Salon du Livre. Normally, Mr Putin would have visited the book fair, but French officials feared protests there too, so Mr Chirac brought 40 Russian writers to the Elysée. To thank Mr Putin for a guided tour of the top secret Krasnoznamensk Russian military satellite control centre last April, Mr Chirac took him to the French equivalent at Taverny, outside Paris.
Asked whether the four had discussed Chechnya, Mr Zapatero fawned over the Russian guest.
"We don't believe in interfering in Russia's internal affairs," said the Spanish prime minister.
"All of us are united in fighting terrorism." On the day when an opinion poll indicated that a majority of French people may vote against the European constitutional treaty, Mr Chirac repeated twice that he didn't understand "what people have against the constitution".
French politicians of left and right travelled to Spain to boost the Yes vote there last month, and Mr Zapatero said he has plans to return the favour. "I am proud to be a European," he emphasised.
The four issued only one communique, now de rigueur in any gathering in which Mr Chirac participates. It demanded the completed departure of Syrian armed forces and security services from Lebanon.