As host, Abbott greeted every foreign leader and his exchange with the Russian leader – hugely anticipated by the Australian media – descended to the farcical, with Putin giving a maladroit hand gesture that was liable to misinterpretation.
His awkward point towards Abbott was captured by cameras looking more like an offensive “two-fingered salute” at the Australian leader.
Abbott responded with an index-finger point of his own.
It was not known what words passed between the two men.
