Elton John disappointed at not meeting President Putin in Moscow

Elton John said he was looking forward to meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin in the future for a discussion on LGBT issues during a concert in Moscow.

Sir Elton, performing at a luxury shopping and entertainment centre in the Russian capital on Monday night as part of a world tour, sounded disappointed about not getting to meet Mr Putin, but said he would return to try to see him.

"As some of you may know I hoped to meet with president Putin on this trip," Sir Elton, whose music has been popular in Russia since the Soviet era, told the audience.

"Although it wasn't possible, I'm deeply grateful to him for inviting me to discuss some serious issues in Russia including LGBT, HIV and AIDS, and I very much hope we will find time in future to meet."

Mr 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." The Russian president had to fly to Kazakhstan on Tuesday morning for a meeting.

 

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