G20 Brisbane: British Prime Minister David Cameron joins list of leaders to shirtfront Russian President Vladimir Putin

THE world seems to be lining up to shirtfront the Russian president, with another leader delivering a blunt message to Vladimir Putin.

BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron has joined the list of international leaders to shirtfront Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit.

Mr Cameron told his counterpart the post-Cold War relationship between Russia and the west has now reached “a fork in the road’’ over Ukraine.

UK media quoted Downing Street sources describing the 50-minute meeting in Brisbane last evening as “a robust exchange of view’’ – which the Daily Mirror said was diplomatic-speak for a blazing row.

Mr Cameron warned the increasingly isolated Russian leader that his country would face further isolation and sanctions unless it stopped supplying arms and equipment to separatists in Ukraine.

European Union leaders are due to discuss the deteriorating situation with United States President Barack Obama today ahead of a meeting on Monday, when they will decide on further economic and financial sanctions.

On Sunday, the United States, Japan and Australia have jointly criticised Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its actions to destabilise eastern Ukraine.

The criticism was made in a statement following a trilateral meeting involving Barack Obama, Tony Abbott and Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the summit.

They also called for those responsible for the downing of flight MH17 over the Ukraine to be brought to justice.

Mr Cameron has repeatedly compared Russia’s expansionist behaviour to Nazi Germany and before last evening’s meeting, said Moscow had a choice to make.

It could stop meddling in Ukraine and allow stability to return or face the wrath of the rest of the world.

“If that path continues and if that destabilisation gets worse, the rest of the world, Europe, America, Britain, will have no choice but to take further action in terms of sanctions,” he said.

“The point is and the reason for meeting is that this issue matters and it’s very important Russia understands what’s at stake and gets a very clear message.’’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said the European Union was considering further financial sanctions against Russian individuals because of the crisis in Ukraine.

“The present situation is not satisfying,” she told reporters. “At present the listing of further persons is on the agenda.”

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported Vladimir Putin was delivered a blunt message to “get out of Ukraine” in a hostile meeting in Brisbane this morning. But it wasn't by the shirt front-promising Australian Prime Minister who gave the orders.

Instead, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stepped in to tell the Russian President where to go.

Both Mr Harper’s press secretary and a spokesman for the Russian delegation have confirmed to The Courier-Mail that the exchange took place this morning at a private meeting.

Mr Harper’s director of Communications Jason Macdonald confirmed Mr Harper had delivered the message to Mr Putin after the Russian leader approached him to shake hands at the meeting.

Mr Macdonald confirmed a Canadian media report stating that Mr Harper accepted the gesture, but said: “I guess I’ll shake your hand, but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine.”

Mr Putin “did not respond positively”, according to Mr Macdonald, but he declined to elaborate.

A spokesman for the Russian delegation travelling with Mr Putin has confirmed the exchange took place.

The spokesman gave an account of the meeting to The Courier-Mail. “Mr Harper and Mr Putin greeted each other with a handshake, and Mr Harper said Russia should go away from Ukraine and Mr Putin replied that this is impossible because Russia is not there,” the spokesman said.

He said the Russian delegation was “surprised” to learn of the exchange from media.

Mr Harper has used several speeches in recent months to condemn Russia’s policy on the Ukraine.

The exchange between Mr Putin and Mr Harper is understood to have taken place in the presence of several other world leaders.

It comes after international media attention on Mr Abbott’s “shirt front” warning to Mr Putin over the MH17 air crash over the Ukraine, which killed 38 Australians.

They met again before the cameras today in an official meet and greet of foreign leaders.

British Prime Minister is believed to have held a private meeting with President Putin on Saturday night.

The controversial Russian leader arrived at the Hilton Hotel, where he is staying for the G20 summit in Brisbane, at 5.50pm.

Two minutes later, Prime Minister David Cameron arrived with his motorcade and was ushered inside.

Police were on alert and searched one man who walked past the restricted zone, but let him go shortly afterwards. A police helicopter buzzed overhead while the meeting took place.

Mr Cameron left the Hilton about 6.50pm.

He had earlier in the day told British media that Mr Putin is not a man of his word.

He was reported as saying if Russia did not stop supporting separatists in Ukraine it would face further sanctions and a “very different relationship with Britain and Europe”.