Putin calls for real
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].
Comedians admit prank
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.
Kremlin denies call
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
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.
Boycotts Dolce and Gabbana
John boycotts Dolce and Gabbana because of their views on gay adoptions and IVF
https://instagram.com/p/0PJUURgGUI/?taken-by=eltonjohn