MOSCOW, Sept. 24 (UPI) — Russian President Vladimir Putin phoned music icon Elton John Thursday to discuss gay rights in his country—this time for real.
The news comes a week after John admitted that he was the victim of a hoax after expressing that he wanted to talk to the Russian leader about his “ridiculous” attitude towards the LGBT community.
Two Russian comedians, Vladimir Krasnov and his sidekick Alexey Stolyarov had pranked called the singer acting as Putin. This prompted John to celebrate the news on Instagram and caused Russian officials to deny the conversation ever took place.
Now however, the Kremlin decided it would be a good idea to get into contact with the 68-year-old veteran crooner.
“Putin spoke with Elton John,” the president’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told The New York Times on Thursday after Mr. Putin held a meeting at Russia’s agro-industrial complex in Semikarakorsk. “Putin called and said: ‘I know that you were pranked by the telephone guys — don’t be upset with them, they’re harmless, although that, without doubt, does not justify them.’”
Mr. Peskov added: “Putin said that he knows what a popular performer Elton John is, and in the future, if their schedules coincide, he will be ready to meet with him and discuss any questions that are of interest.”
Gary Farrow, a spokesman for Elton John, declined to comment on the matter.
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.