The Soviet-style march of Putin and the bird-like Blair

Leaders of the G8 nations have agreed to seek "substantial" cuts in emissions in an effort to tackle climate change at their first day of talks in Germany.

And US President George W Bush held talks with Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president's suggestion that a US missile defence system use a radar station in Azerbaijan instead of facilities elsewhere in Europe was "interesting".

BBC state department correspondent Jonathan Beale is travelling with the president and recording his experiences in a daily diary.

For a second I thought I'd found the story of the summit: George Bush sipping from a cold glass of beer, no doubt driven to drink by all those climate change bullies and Vladimir Putin. But my American colleagues in the White House press corps assure me it's a non-alcoholic drink.

The others round the table - Blair, Merkel and Prodi - I assume are swallowing real liquor. There's a metaphor there, I'm sure, about the climate change agreement reached today. The Europeans have gone for the real deal - hard targets to cut greenhouse emissions. The Americans have substituted that with an emphasis on "new technologies". Hey - perhaps the US president is really drinking ethanol.

Of course they have much to celebrate - it's been a triumph! Rows over climate change and missile defence have been defused. Angela Merkel has come out of it smelling of roses. Perhaps that's no great surprise.

Threatening clouds always tend to gather ahead of international talks - helped no doubt by the media - and then lift before it's all over. Appearances though are sometimes deceptive. Like the difference between real beer and the non-alcoholic variety, America and Europe are nearly but not quite drinking from the same bottle.

You can tell it in the walk. Fascinating watching how the G8 leaders move at the numerous photo opportunities.

First there are those with attitude. I'd include President Bush with what's been called his Texas swagger. A wink, a nod and a wave every few seconds to let us know he's both important and relaxed.

Also President Vladimir Putin - a subtle Soviet-style march - slightly sinister until he lets out a smile. A study in contained power.

Tony Blair is different - the image of frenetic activity. Bird-like as he looks around letting you know that he knows what's going on.

France's Nicolas Sarkozy wants to touch everyone he meets. In contrast, Shinzo Abe - a cliche of Japanese reserve.

Italy's Romano Prodi - the affable don who is not completely comfortable with the TV cameras. And Stephen Harper of Canada... you hardly notice he's there.