Should he put a diplomatic word in for the Greenpeace people, especially any Australians?
Can't hurt I suppose, but these people know the risks they are taking.
It's like all these extreme sports people who expect everybody will drop everything and come to their rescue.
Who was that guy, Tony something? whose yacht came to grief in the Southern Ocean so that a warship had to go out at huge cost to pick him up. Did he pay for it?
People who venture into areas where they might fall foul of local laws have got to realise they are on their own.

It's who? Tony who? from where?

Abbott wouldn't have the guts to ask Putin and besides, why would he intervene on behalf of a bunch of left wing activists?

I agree with john on this one.....Putin would laugh