”Many, many countries in the world have been increasing their public spending in order to face the crisis and help industrial sectors in need and this is leading to increasing public debt, which is another source of great concern. So, an exit strategy and how to face the crisis in the same time will be on the table.”

But with G8 nations weathering the biggest economic slump since the great depression of the early 1930s, a large part of the summit is expected to renew a focus on global financial regulation. Russian presidential aide, Arkady Dvorkovich, says Russia will be pushing for new financial and economic architecture.

“Our main focus will be to discuss the ways out of the crisis and international cooperation in this field. We will also emphasise the need to create a new financial and economic architecture.”

This year’s event will see a vast sideline programme, with the most anticipated prospect a push for a conclusion to the Doha round of the WTO talks to revive the world economy. At least the G8 leaders have a few things they won’t have to worry about. The oil price is below half its high point last year, and inflation is the last thing on anyone’s mind, although the prospect of both jumping at the first sign of a sustained economic turnaround, will lend a note of caution.