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Chat Between Elton John and Putin Was a Hoax Chat Between Elton John and Vladimir Putin Was a Hoax
(about 11 hours later)
When word emerged this week — via Elton John on Instagram — that Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, had called Mr. John to discuss gay rights, the possibility of some sort of accord between a leader who has gained a reputation for supporting anti-gay policies and the singer, a strong supporter of gay rights, seemed to some too good to be true.When word emerged this week — via Elton John on Instagram — that Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, had called Mr. John to discuss gay rights, the possibility of some sort of accord between a leader who has gained a reputation for supporting anti-gay policies and the singer, a strong supporter of gay rights, seemed to some too good to be true.
And it appears that it was: On Wednesday, two pranksters said the whole thing was a hoax. The two, Vladimir Krasnov and Alexey Stolyarov, took responsibility for the hoax in Komsomolskaya Pravda, a national tabloid, then appeared on a late-night comedy and variety show where clips of the conversation were played.And it appears that it was: On Wednesday, two pranksters said the whole thing was a hoax. The two, Vladimir Krasnov and Alexey Stolyarov, took responsibility for the hoax in Komsomolskaya Pravda, a national tabloid, then appeared on a late-night comedy and variety show where clips of the conversation were played.
The pair are known for elaborate pranks on celebrities, politicians and even a patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. On the program, Mr. Krasnov, who played Mr. Putin in the phone call, said, “I am ready to take all the blame.”The pair are known for elaborate pranks on celebrities, politicians and even a patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. On the program, Mr. Krasnov, who played Mr. Putin in the phone call, said, “I am ready to take all the blame.”
They would not say how they got the singer’s phone number.They would not say how they got the singer’s phone number.
In the recording, a voice that appears to be Mr. John’s can be heard expressing gratitude. “I love Russia,” he says. “It’s been part of my life since 1979, and I just want to make the situation better if I can.”In the recording, a voice that appears to be Mr. John’s can be heard expressing gratitude. “I love Russia,” he says. “It’s been part of my life since 1979, and I just want to make the situation better if I can.”
Representatives for Mr. John did not respond to emails asking if the recording was genuine.Representatives for Mr. John did not respond to emails asking if the recording was genuine.
Mr. John had posted on his Instagram account that he had spoken to Mr. Putin on Monday, and news outlets, including The New York Times, reported that on Tuesday.Mr. John had posted on his Instagram account that he had spoken to Mr. Putin on Monday, and news outlets, including The New York Times, reported that on Tuesday.
But later that day, Mr. Putin’s press secretary, Dmitri S. Peskov, flatly denied that such a conversation had taken place.But later that day, Mr. Putin’s press secretary, Dmitri S. Peskov, flatly denied that such a conversation had taken place.
On Wednesday, Mr. Peskov said the pranksters should apologize to Mr. John who, he said, was a well-respected figure in Russia. He also said Mr. Putin was ready to speak with the singer if asked.On Wednesday, Mr. Peskov said the pranksters should apologize to Mr. John who, he said, was a well-respected figure in Russia. He also said Mr. Putin was ready to speak with the singer if asked.