- British singer Elton John told a concert in Moscow he still wanted to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss his concerns about gay rights and AIDS in Russia, despite the Kremlin leader not having time to meet him this time round.
- John’s music had been popular in Russia in the Soviet era. He claimed that Putin invited him to discuss some serious issues in Russia including LGBT, HIV and AIDS. Putin’s spokesman said last week that the Russian leader’s schedule did not match up with John’s, but that a meeting might take place “next time.”
- Western governments and human rights activists have criticised Russian authorities for their treatment of gay people, and John previously spoke out against a 2013 law banning the dissemination of “gay propaganda” among young Russians. Putin has said he is not prejudiced against gay people.
(With inputs from Reuters.)
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