A spokesman for the Russian president knocked back the Rocket Man singer’s confirmation that they discussed the country’s well-publicised attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov soon denied that the conversation ever took place, while John’s manager insisted that it had.
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John revealed to his Instagram followers that he enjoyed a telephone conversation with Putin and looks forward to meeting him in person.
Elton John had claimed via his publicist he had spoken to Putin, after requesting a meeting to discuss Russia’s anti-gay environment.
John posted an Instagram on Monday saying he spoke to Putin by phone.
Elton has been critical of Putin’s stance on gay rights, which he’s called “ridiculous”, “isolating and prejudiced”.
Before the Winter Olympics in Sochi a year ago, Mr Putin controversially said gay people travelling to the Games could “feel relaxed and comfortable”, but they must “leave the children in peace”.
Russia’s anti-LGBT “propaganda” law, which was passed in June 2013, has been widely condemned as it was seen as effectively legalising discrimination against LGBT people.
Two Russian TV comedians say they prank called the British superstar and posed as the famously anti-gay (and anti-many others) Russian president.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with academics at the Moscow State University December 3, 2013. But it turned out that Elton John was really waiting for this call, and so he immediately believed it really was a conversation with the people who we said we were. And I was Vladimir Putin. “But we are such signals are not received”. You made my day.
“I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here”. “It’s probably pie in the sky…”
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Peskov added, however, that Putin would be willing to talk to the musician, who first performed in the then-Soviet Union in 1979 and still regularly plays shows in Russian Federation, if he reaches out to him.
