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Putin's call came just a week after a pair of Russian
comedians tricked John, 68, into thinking he was talking to
Putin on the phone in a stunt that the entertainer laughed off,
while saying he hoped it would highlight discrimination against
gay people.
This time, Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said the Russian
leader really had phoned John, who has used his status as one of
the world's most famous gay celebrities to push for equal rights
for homosexuals around the world.
"Putin phoned him," Peskov told reporters. "He said: 'I know
some guys played a trick on you on the phone, but don't get
offended. They are harmless people, though that of course does
not justify what they did.'"
Putin told John that since he was a popular performer he would
be ready to meet him and discuss any subject which interested
him, if their schedules coincided, Peskov said.
Western states and human rights activists have criticised Russia
for its treatment of gay people, and John has previously spoken
out against a 2013 law banning the dissemination of "gay
propaganda" among young people.
Putin has said he is not prejudiced against gay people, but has
made comments which activists have criticised as being ambiguous
and insulting towards homosexuals.
John, who plays to vast audiences in Russia when he tours, could
not immediately be reached for comment.
(Editing by Christian Lowe)
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