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Vladimir Krasnov and Aleksei Stolyarov, known in Russia for
targeting celebrities and politicians with their audacious
stunts, say they called the British singer a day after he told
journalists he would like to meet Putin to discuss gay rights.
"Yes, it was us," Krasnov was quoted as saying by Komsomolskaya
Pravda newspaper. "I was 'Vladimir Putin'."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied on Tuesday that Putin had
made the call and suggested it could have been a prank after
Elton John posted a photo of the Russian president on Instagram
thanking him for the conversation.
"Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and
speaking via telephone with me today. I look to forward to
meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in
Russia," the gay singer and campaigner wrote on Instagram.
Russia has been criticized by the West and human rights
activists for its treatment of gay people and the "Rocket Man"
singer has campaigned publicly against a 2013 law banning the
dissemination of "gay propaganda" among young people.
Through a Russian interpreter, John is heard on the 11-minute
call discussing a visit to Moscow with a man he believed was
Putin.
"Tell him I am extremely honored that he is calling me. It is a
great privilege to be able to speak to one of the most
influential people in the whole world. It's amazing," John says
on the call, the tape of which was released to Reuters.
John agreed to travel to Moscow for a Gay Pride event, and said
he hoped to have a "wonderful discussion" with Putin.
He concluded the call saying, "Tell him he has made my day, okay
... it's a very wonderful moment in my life."
John's representatives did not immediately return calls for
comment on Wednesday after it was revealed that he had been the
target of a prank.
(Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Alison Williams and Tom
Brown)
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