Vladimir Putin has called Elton John after the singer expressed his desire to meet the Russian president to talk about LGBTI rights in the country.

Elton told the BBC that he wanted to meet Putin to discuss his ‘ridiculous’ attitude toward LGBTI people. It may have seemed like a long shot, especially as Elton accused Putin of saying ‘stupid things’ about gay people.

But on September 14, 2015, Elton announced that he had actually received a phone call from the Russian leader.
"Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today," he wrote on Instagram. "I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia."

Elton’s publicist confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the call did take place but details were scant. "All I know at this point is that Putin called Elton," he said.

But don’t be too optimistic. One the same day he called Elton, Putin also honored the author of Russia’s gay ‘propaganda’ lawwith the highest civilian decoration of the state.

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