DHAKA: Australian prime minister Tony Abbott on Monday vowed to ‘shirtfront’, or confront, Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 summit next month over the loss of Australian lives in the MH17 crash over Ukraine.

Australia is hosting the summit in Brisbane, and there had been question marks over whether Putin would take part. But Treasurer Joe Hockey confirmed on Sunday that the Russian leader would attend, despite concerns about Russia's actions in Ukraine in recent months.

Abbott has used tough language against Russia since a Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July, killing all 298 onboard - including 38 Australian citizens or residents.

He said Monday he would be confronting Putin over the tragedy, reports The Straits Times.

‘I’m going to shirtfront Mr Putin - you bet I am,’ Abbott told reporters, referring to an Australian sporting term in which a player charges someone.

‘I’m going to be saying to Mr. Putin - Australians were murdered and they were murdered by Russian-backed rebels using Russian supplied equipment. We are very unhappy about this.’

BDST: 1631 HRS, OCT 13, 2014