Mr Obama said he would have more "flexibility" on difficult issues such as the US missile defence plans after November's election.

BBC: Obama and Medvedev caught in unguarded missile remarks

But actually when it comes down to it they're soft on the difficult issues.

BBC: Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones

Reaching agreement among the 17 -- or 27 countries on difficult economic issues is, as Chancellor Merkel said yesterday in a speech, a herculean task.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing