When US President Obama gets to the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, he will hold a sideline meeting with President Francois Hollande of “America’s oldest ally” France, which says it will stand with the US during any attack on Syria.

By contrast, there will be no sideline meeting with the leader of the country that supposedly enjoys a “special relationship” with the US.  Downing Street is denying suggestions it’s a snub because of UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s mishandling of the Syria crisis.

Cameron lost the parliamentary vote that would have authorized him to join the US and France in using force against Syria in retaliation for the 21 August chemical attack on civilians.  But even after that he continued to put pressure on Mr. Obama to act, suggesting that the Syrian people face “Armageddon” if the US does not intervene.  Obama was reportedly annoyed at Cameron, but a Downing Street source says there is no rift.

“It is a sign of the strength of the relationship – they speak regularly so we don’t need to go chasing meetings at every summit,” the source said, “Unlike previous British leaders, the Prime Minister is confident in his relationship with the president.”

Obama had already cancelled a sideline summit with Vladimir Putin, mostly because of Russia granting asylum to fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.  Instead, Obama will meet with Gay Rights leaders in Saint Petersburg.

Our PM Kevin Rudd won't have sideline meetings with anyone, he's staying in Oz to finish a tough election campaign.