This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34260134

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Elton John: President Putin rang after gay rights plea Kremlin denies Putin phoned Elton John over gay rights
(about 2 hours later)
Sir Elton John has said he was contacted by Vladimir Putin after saying he wanted to meet and discuss gay rights with the Russian President. The Kremlin says it is not true that President Vladimir Putin contacted pop star Sir Elton John, who has said he wants to talk to him about gay rights.
In a BBC interview, Sir Elton said he wanted to talk to Mr Putin about his "ridiculous" stance on the issue. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no conversation between the two men had taken place.
A message on the musician's Instagram account thanked President Putin for "reaching out" in a phone conversation.A message on the musician's Instagram account thanked President Putin for "reaching out" in a phone conversation.
Details of the call have not been published. Mr Putin's office is yet to confirm if there will be a meeting. In a BBC interview, Sir Elton had said he wanted to talk to Mr Putin about his "ridiculous" stance on the issue.
But Sir Elton's message added: "I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia." Sir Elton's Instagram message added: "I look forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia."
His office later confirmed that the two men had spoken. His office later said that the two men had spoken.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that reports of a conversation were "not true".
"I don't know who spoke to Elton John but President Putin did not speak to him," he said.
"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."
He added: "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."
Russia has faced international criticism for its laws against homosexuality, including a 2013 bill prosecuting people for providing information about homosexuality to people under 18.Russia has faced international criticism for its laws against homosexuality, including a 2013 bill prosecuting people for providing information about homosexuality to people under 18.
A report by Human Rights Watch last year said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.A report by Human Rights Watch last year said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.
During his interview, Sir Elton admitted he thought it was unlikely he would meet President Putin.During his interview, Sir Elton admitted he thought it was unlikely he would meet President Putin.
"It's probably pie in the sky. He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried.""It's probably pie in the sky. He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried."
But the phone call comes at an interesting time, says the BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent Bridget Kendall, with Mr Putin due to speak at the UN in New York at the end of this month.
Amid speculation the Russian leader is trying to improve relations with the west, he may have calculated reaching out to Sir Elton would be a popular move, our correspondent adds.