Surprise as Putin phones Elton John over LGBT rights

It’s emerged that President Putin has reached out to Elton John after the star said he’d like to discuss LGBT equality with the Russian leader.

On the weekend, John told the BBC that he would “love to sit down and talk to” Putin about Russia’s “ridiculous” repressive policies towards LGBT people.

The singer added that such a meeting was unlikely and that the president would probably “call me an absolute idiot.”

To everyone’s surprise, John revealed on Instagram on Monday that Putin has since gotten in touch.

“Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today,” he wrote.

“I look to forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia.”

John’s publicist confirmed the call but it’s not known exactly what was discussed nor when their meeting might take place.

The openly gay entertainer has a huge following in Russia.

In 2013, Putin signed a law prohibiting the promotion of “non-traditional” sexual relationships. The “gay propaganda” law effectively bars any expression or discussion of homosexuality in public, on television, in print or on the internet.