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Russia’s Vladimir Putin proposes a meeting with Elton John – and it’s not a hoax
Earlier this month, Elton John was tricked into thinking he was talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin by a pair of TV pranksters.
After John posted a picture of Putin on his Instagram thanking him for calling him to discuss gay rights, the Kremlin denied any call took place.
Now Putin wants to meet with the singer – for real.
The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Putin phoned Sir Elton on Wednesday (23 September) asking him not to be offended by the earlier prank by Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov who had impersonated him on the phone.
Peskov told Russian media that Putin had this time called the singer and asked him not to be offended by the hoax.
Mr Putin said on Thursday he was ready to meet Sir Elton to discuss ‘any issues of interest’ when their schedules permit.
Those issues would be Russia’s anti-LGBTI record and laws which Sir Elton was quite vocal about during a visit to Russia earlier this month.
‘I’d love to meet him [Putin], I’d love to sit down and talk to him,’ he told the BBC during that visit. ‘It’s probably pie in the sky but unless you try, unless you put your foot in the water, your toe in the water … at least if I meet him and say, “Listen, come on, let’s have a cup of tea, let’s talk about this.” He might laugh behind my back and then he shuts the door and call me an absolute idiot but at least I can have a conscience and say I’d tried.’
Of the earlier prank Sir Elton said: ‘Pranks are funny. Homophobia, however is never funny. I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT rights still stands. I will always stand up for those that are being degraded and discriminated against.
‘If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion.’
The post Russia’s Vladimir Putin proposes a meeting with Elton John – and it’s not a hoax appeared first on Gay Star News.
Greg Hernandez
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