Putin phoned John back in September 2015 to discuss LGBT rights in Russian Federation, after the singer had challenged the leader to a debate over his controversial anti-gay “propaganda” law.
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President Vladimir Putin has consistently expressed his willingness to improve ties with the European Union, the Kremlin said on Thursday, but the release of Ukrainian Nadiya Savchenko from a Russian jail is unlikely to make this task easier.
Elton’s dealings with the president began a year ago (15) when he was tricked by two Russian pranksters posing as Putin and an aide in a phone call. “But this time, the meeting won’t take place, unfortunately”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with journalists. After the prank call, Putin talked to the British artist over the phone and suggested a meeting.
President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday (May 25) that Russian Federation will have to find “new sources of growth” to pull itself out of a lingering economic crisis.
After the conversation the singer told the BBC, “He (Putin) was very affable, he was very apologetic, he was very honest”. It was suggested the two could still meet at a later date.
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Singer Elton John performs at the Hillary Victory Fund “I’m With Her” benefit concert for U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at Radio City Music Hall in the Manhattan borough of New York City, March 2, 2016.
