Post by athos on Nov 16th, 2014 at 2:51pm
While Mr Abbott, as host of the 2014 G20, cuddled a koala alongside Mr Putin, conservative world leaders including Britain's David Cameron, Canada's Stephen Harper and Germany's Angela Merkel delivered stern words to the Russian leader over Ukraine.
Mr Putin praised Mr Abbott as a "specific" and "business-like person" and credited him with creating a "wonderful atmosphere" in Brisbane.
"Our host, Mr Prime Minister, I would like to say again that he created a very wonderful atmosphere for working together. Of course, our views are not the same in some issues, but we had some very substantive conversations and I think it was helpful.
"We had a very detailed and professional conversation. Very disciplined. He made sure everyone stayed on schedule, but also provided an opportunity for everyone to say something," he told Russian reporters before departing Australia.
Mr Putin held a farewell media conference at the Hilton hotel but refused to allow in any journalists who weren't from Russian state media.
The Russian leader was snubbed on arrival in Brisbane when the government sent one of the ministry's most junior members, the Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert, to greet him.
In comparison, Governor-General Sir Peter Cogrove and Attorney-General George Brandis welcomed other leaders.