The proposed meeting between Elton John and Russian president Vladimir Putin will not go ahead – for now.
Sir Elton, who is in Russia as part of his world tour, had hoped to meet Putin to discuss his concerns over gay rights in the country which he says are “isolating and prejudiced”.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that will not happen as there was “no appropriate time in the two men’s schedules”.
“We were in correspondence with him (Elton John) a couple of weeks ago, because there had been an agreement that, if their schedules allow, this meeting would take place,” Peskov told reporters.
“President Putin expressed readiness for this meeting. But this time, the meeting won’t take place, unfortunately.
“Their schedules do not match up. But this does not mean that such a meeting won’t take place next time.”
After he had fallen victim last year to prank callers pretending to be the president, Sir Elton received a genuine call from Putin.
He told the BBC the president was “very affable … very apologetic … very sincere”.
“As soon as I can get a date in my diary that coincides with him, then I will be going … to Moscow and I will meet him.”
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