Prime Minister Tony Abbott threatens to use violent Australian football tackle with Vladimir Putin over downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott raised eyebrows after he said he would "shirt-front" or tackle Russian President Putin over the "murder" of Australians in the downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

Abbott said he would use the G20 summit, hosted by Australia this year, to confront the Russian president over allegations the flight was shot down by pro-Russian separatists with missiles provided by the Kremlin.