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Vladimir Putin

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11 Oct, 2022

Report: Musk talked to Putin before Ukraine peace plan tweet

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In a mailout to subscribers, Ian Bremner, founder the political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, wrote that Musk told him that Putin was “prepared to negotiate”. but only if Crimea remained Russian; if Ukraine accepted a form of permanent neutrality; and Ukraine recognised Russia’s annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

According to Bremmer, Musk said Putin told him these goals would be accomplished “no matter what”, including the potential of a nuclear strike if Ukraine invaded Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Bremmer wrote that Musk told him that “everything needed to be done to avoid that outcome.”

Bremmer also wrote that Musk said he had refused a Ukrainian request to activate Starlink in Crimea.

17 Dec, 2015

Putin praises Trump

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During an annual news conference with reporters, Putin comments on Trump’s standing in the race.

He is a bright and talented person without any doubt. [He] is an outstanding and talented personality. [He is] the absolute leader of the presidential race.

Trump responds:

It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond. I have always felt that Russia and the United States should be able to work well with each other towards defeating terrorism and restoring world peace, not to mention trade and all of the other benefits derived from mutual respect.

17 Nov, 2015

Offers $50 million reward

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At a Kremlin meeting, President Putin offers a $50 million reward for information leading to those responsible for the downing of the jet.

We will find them anywhere on the planet and punish them.

Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s FSB security service, says traces of foreign-made explosive had been found on fragments of the downed plane and on passengers’ personal belongings, and that the bomb probably contained around 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of TNT:

You can definitely say that this is a terrorist act.

28 Sep, 2015

Putin, Obama meet

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Obama meets Putin for the first time in more than two years. On the biggest issue that divides them in Syria, the U.S. still insists Syria’s future cannot include Assad, while Putin appears to only want to bolster the standing of his longtime ally, casting him as the best defense against Islamic States militants. Putin:

Strange is it may seem, there were many common points. There were also disagreements which we agreed to work together. I hope this work will be constructive.

Putin says 'differences can be resolved' after meeting with Obama

25 Sep, 2015

Putin calls for real

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Putin phones John for real and the two agree a face-to-face meeting if their schedules allow it. A Kremlin spokesperson says it took some convincing from the Russian side for John to believe it was really Putin who wanted to talk to him.

He (Elton John) was in doubt for a period of time.

Putin tells John he was aware of the prank on Elton John and asked him “not to hold grudges” against the pranksters. Spokesperson:

If their schedules match accordingly, he’s ready to meet and discuss any issue which interests [the musician].

16 Sep, 2015

Comedians admit prank

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Two Russian comedians, “Vovan” and “Lexus,” admit that they prank called John. In the phone call the pranksters get John to talk about gay rights:

I think the violence toward LGBT people–they don’t feel safe–but this something I don’t really want to talk about over the phone.

They also arrange a November meeting date with the Russian president and agreed to attend a gay pride parade in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson:

The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues…I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here. It was not good to trick him like that.

John:

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.

15 Sep, 2015

Kremlin denies call

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A spokesman for Putin says that the Russian President did not speak to John.

I don’t know who spoke to Elton John but President Putin did not speak to him. I don’t know [what happened] but President Putin did not speak to Elton John and most importantly we didn’t receive any proposals to meet. If the president does get such a signal from Elton John, the president has always been open to discuss any… human rights problems, any issues. He is always ready to clarify the real situation.

Says Putin called

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John says that Putin called him to discuss gay rights in Russia.

Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today. I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.

25 Jul, 2015

Says Blatter deserves Nobel prize

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Putin praises Blatter in an interview by the Swiss broadcaster RTS:

We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now. I don’t want to go into details but I don’t believe a word about him being involved in corruptiton personally. I think people like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition. If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel prize, it’s those people.