Putin calls Elton John, promises to meet with him

The real Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Putin was “ready to meet with Elton John among others to give answers to all the questions that he might ask”, but the Kremlin had not received a request from the singer.

President Obama is set to have a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Two Russian pranksters last week said they fooled Elton John into believing that the Russian president had given him a call, with the star posting a message on his Instagram thanking Mr Putin for calling him.

Putin and his officials have said only that Russian Federation has provided weapons and training to the Syrian military to help it combat IS.

Despite denying the call had happened, Mr Putin’s spokesman said he could still respond positively to Sir Elton’s offer.

Earlier this month, a couple of Russian TV comedians tricked the British music icon into thinking Putin wanted to have a meeting.

Elton John says he thinks if he had the opportunity to meet personally with Putin he could change his position on this controversial matter.

Peskov also told a conference call with journalists that the crisis in Ukraine would be discussed “if time allows”.

Now, as the economy is in recession again after oil prices halved to around $50 a barrel, Mr. Putin called for better tax collection, saying that the budget should receive more from exporting companies that are benefit ting from the ruble devaluation.

Russia’s anti-LGBT “propaganda” law, which was passed in June 2013, has been widely condemned as it was seen as effectively legalising discrimination against LGBT people.