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Kremlin denies Putin phoned Elton John over gay rights Elton John: Kremlin denies Putin phoned over gay rights
(about 2 hours later)
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. The Kremlin has firmly denied that President Vladimir Putin contacted pop star Sir Elton John, who has said he wants to talk to him about gay rights.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no conversation between the two men had taken place. Sir Elton had said he wanted to talk to Mr Putin about his "ridiculous" stance.
A message on the musician's Instagram account thanked President Putin for "reaching out" in a phone conversation. Later, a message on the musician's Instagram account thanked Mr Putin for "reaching out" in a phone conversation.
In a BBC interview, Sir Elton had said he wanted to talk to Mr Putin about his "ridiculous" stance on the issue. But a Kremlin spokesman said no conversation between the two men had taken place - and hinted that the call could have been a hoax.
Sir Elton's Instagram message added: "I look 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 said that the two men had spoken. His office said that the two men had spoken.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that reports of a conversation were "not true".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 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.""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."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."