“Putin” call to Elton John revealed to be prank

Two Russian TV presenters have admitted to prank calling Sir Elton John, tricking him into thinking he was speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as Vovan and Lexus, posed as President Putin and his press secretary Dmitry Peskov ringing to discuss LGBT rights with the singer.

“Alexei has excellent English so he played (presidential press secretary) Dmitry Peskov and translated our conversation. And I was Vladimir Putin,” Mr Krasnov told Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. “It turned out that Elton John was really expecting that call, so he really believed he was talking to the people we said we were.”

It was reported earlier this week that Mr Putin had allegedly responded to Sir Elton John’s offer to meet with him to discuss LGBT rights.

The legendary singer posted on his Instagram page to inform fans that Mr Putin had telephoned him.

“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,” Sir Elton posted, along with a picture of Mr Putin.

Sir Elton expressed his wish to meet with the Russian President after speaking in Ukraine at the YES Ukraine 2015 conference on LGBT rights on 12 September, where he lobbied Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on the issue.

Source: BBC