Did Putin call Elton John? Singer says yes, Kremlin says no

Peskov went on to seemingly criticize Sir Elton’s Instagram announcement saying, “Unfortunately, we don’t know how authentic this post and this account are, given that it is written in English rather incorrectly”.

Despite denying the call took place, Mr Peskov suggested Putin could respond positively to Sir Elton’s offer.

Vladimir Krasnov and Aleksei Stolyarov, known in Russian Federation for targeting celebrities and politicians with their audacious stunts, say they called the British singer a day after he told journalists he would like to meet Putin to discuss gay rights.

“I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here”.

But the Russian president has denied the conversation ever took place.

Asked if he thought he could influence Putin, John replied: “Probably not”.

Whether or not the alleged telephone call from Putin was real, imagined or something in between, the idea of a meeting between Putin and the Rocket Man has not been entirely ruled out.

“I’d love to meet him”, the singer said.

LONDON-Elton John stated Tuesday that Vladimir Putin phoned him after the musician requested a gathering to debate Russia’s anti-gay setting.

John was in Ukraine, where he met President Petro Poroshenko and called for the country to give greater support to the gay community.

Speaking to BBC News, John said Putin’s attitude to gay people was “isolating and prejudiced” and “ridiculous” and cited comments made by the President in 2014 about gay people targeting children.

“When they achieve great success they are honoured – for example Elton John is an extraordinary person, a distinguished musician, and millions of our people sincerely love him, regardless of his sexual orientation”, he said.

Sir Elton, who has two sons with husband David Furnish, has been outspoken on the issue of gay rights before.

The Kremlin spokesman said that no request had been received through official channels for a chance to discuss any issue, including that of LGBT rights, with the president.