Elton John wants to talk to Putin about gay rights.
British singer Elton John said during a performance in Moscow that he still wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss his concerns about gay rights and AIDS in the country, even though the Kremlin leader did not have time to meet with him on this occasion.
By Andrew Osborn
MOSCOW (Reuters) - British singer Elton John said during a performance in Moscow that he still wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss his concerns about gay rights and AIDS in the country, even though the Kremlin leader did not have time to meet with him on this occasion.
Elton, who played at a luxury shopping mall and entertainment center in the Russian capital on Monday night, one of the stops on his world tour, seemed disappointed that he couldn't meet Putin, but said he would return to try to see him.
"As some of you may know, I was hoping to meet with President Putin on this trip," the musician, whose work has been popular in Russia since the Soviet era, told the audience.
"Although it wasn't possible, I am deeply grateful to him for inviting me to discuss some serious topics in Russia, including LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Transsexual and Transgender) issues, HIV and AIDS, and I have high hopes that in the future we will find time to meet."
Last week, Putin's spokesman said that the Russian leader's schedule did not align with Elton's, but that a meeting could happen "next time." Putin had to fly to Kazakhstan on Tuesday morning for a meeting.
In September, Putin called the singer, who has been using his fame as one of the world's biggest celebrities to advocate for equal rights for homosexuals worldwide, to say he was willing to meet him after Elton, 69, requested a meeting.