A spokesman for Vladimir Putin has rejected Elton John's claim that the Russian president phoned him after the musician requested a meeting to discuss Russia's anti-gay environment.
On Instagram Sir Elton wrote: "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."
The singer's publicist, Gary Farrow, on Tuesday confirmed the content of the Instagram post.
But Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies later on Tuesday that Putin never called Sir Elton.
"Putin did not have a conversation with Elton John, and, what's more, we have not received any requests from him for a meeting," Peskov was quoted as saying.
Peskov added, however, that Putin would be willing to talk to the musician if he reaches out to him.
"The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues," he said.
"The president, I'm sure, will be ready to meet with Elton John, too, if there is such a request."
Last week John criticised Russia's law against gay "propaganda" and comments by Putin suggesting that gay people prey on children.
The openly gay hitmaker told the BBC he would "love to sit down with him" and try to change Putin's mind.
Share
