Elton John would like to have a word with Vladimir Putin.

Speaking with the BBC, John criticized the Russian president's views and policies regarding gay rights, calling Putin's attitude "ridiculous" and "isolating and prejudiced." Referring specifically to a Russian ban on "homosexual propaganda" and Putin's comments suggesting that gay people target children, John offered to set up a personal one-to-one discussion on the issue.

"Give me a break. You are president of Russia, and you go and say stupid things like that? ... I would like to meet [Mr. Putin]," said John. "It's probably pie in the sky ... He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried."

John has been an outspoken opponent of the Russian law since its passage, using a 2013 Moscow concert to express his displeasure with its "inhumane" and "isolating" effects; in a message written shortly after the show, he described himself as "deeply grateful for the support of the Russian people who have welcomed and accepted me in their country ever since I first visited in 1979" while further outlining his stance against Putin's policy, writing, "Vicious homophobia has been legitimatized by this legislation and given extremists the cover to abuse people’s basic human rights."

Putin isn't the only public official whose policies have drawn fire from John in recent years. Several weeks ago, he made headlines with his criticism of Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who sought to have books depicting same-sex families removed from the city's schools.

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