UPDATE: Putin waves goodbye to Brisbane

He came, he saw, he was not "shirtfronted".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has waved goodbye to Brisbane, with his jet taking off from Brisbane after a final press conference at his hotel with Russian media.

Mr Putin shook hands with the motorcycle police officers who guided his motorcade to the airport today, before waving goodbye to Brisbane and boarding his jet.

His departure followed a statement he gave to Russian media.

He spoke out about his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who famously threatened to "shirtfront" the Russian leader over the Kremlin's alleged role in the downing of MH17 over war-torn Ukraine.

Despite the tension, Mr Putin said his meeting with Mr Abbott was "positive".

He told Russian media he was leaving early as the only event left was the leader's lunch, and it was a long flight back to Russia.

There was no evidence of any shirtfronting when Mr Abbott and Mr Putin met for a photo opportunity yesterday.

Mr Abbott looked awkward as the pair posed for a photo shaking hands.

Uncharacteristically, both leaders managed to keep their shirts on.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also met with the Russian leader last night and delivered a strong message in relation to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"There's a real choice here, there's a different and better way for Russia to behave," Mr Cameron told reporters.

"At the moment he's not taking that path."