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Vladimir Putin's "Phone Call To Elton John" Was An Awful Prank You Can Listen To Now

A spokesperson or the Kremlin said the prank was “not nice.”

Sir Elton John genuinely thought he was speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, when he claimed the notorious anti-gay villain had called him to discuss LGBT issues in his country.

Sir Elton claimed on Instagram that Putin even offered to set up a face-to-face meeting during their chat — a claim The Kremlin vehemently denied.

Related: Vladimir Putin Telephoned Elton John To Discuss LGBT Equality In Russia

Turns out the whole situation was a “prank” set up by Russian hoaxsters and TV presenters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov, known as “Vovan and Lexus.” The pair uploaded their full 11-minute conversation with Sir Elton to YouTube yesterday.

During the call, Sir Elton highlights the deplorable conditions LGBTs face in Russia and calls for their better treatment. He highlights his role as a humanitarian more than an entertainer, as he believed the call was made in response to his show of support for LGBTs at a concert in Kiev last week.

“My position in life is that people who are gay should be included in all walks of life and be given basic freedom,” he pleads. “I love Russia, it’s been part of my life since 1979 and I just want to make the situation better if I can.”

Reacting to news that the call was a “prank” today, Sir Elton posted on Instagram. “Pranks are funny,” he wrote. “Homophobia, however is never funny.”

He continued: "I love Russia and my offer to talk to President Putin about LGBT rights still stands. I will always stand up for those that are being degraded and discriminated against. If this unfortunate incident has helped push this vital issue back into the spotlight, then I am happy to be pranked on this occasion."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the two men should apologize because the prank "was not nice."

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