FIRST CAME THE INFORMALITIES: After spending some 30 minutes alone with Germany’s new chancellor Angela Merkel last January, President Bush announced to a delegation that from now on, “I’m George and she’s Angela.” Then came more hugs and kisses in Washington this past May and, two weeks ago, in Merkel’s home district of Stralsund. But on July 16 in St. Petersburg, the closeness between the two leaders reached a whole new level. Inside Konstantinovsky Palace, Merkel sat at a table, talking with Italy’s Romano Prodi, when Bush came from behind and gave die Kanzlerin a massage just below the neck. According to the photos, Merkel was initially startled and raised her arms. There’s a look of horror on her face. But Bush’s backrub lasted only a few seconds before he moved on. Merkel then realized who touched her and flashed an awkward smile.

So maybe she prefers Shiatsu. Or maybe the president overstepped his boundaries. As it is, Bild magazine is already calling Merkel “Bush’s girlfriend.” As a symbolic gesture, however, could this be Bush’s way of saying I’ll rub your back if you rub mine? If so, some are speculating the gesture will not exactly be returned.