Vladimir Putin has phoned Elton John and proposed a meeting, according to the Kremlin.

Elton John has said he wants to talk to the Russian president about his “ridiculous” attitude to gay rights.

The British star previously fell victim to pranksters who impersonated Vladimir Putin on the phone.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that President Vladimir Putin had this time called Elton John and asked him not to be offended by the hoax.

Vladimir Putin said on September 24 he was ready to meet Elton John – when their schedules allowed it – and discuss “any issues of interest” to the singer, Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia has faced international criticism for its laws against gay rights.

A report by Human Rights Watch in 2014 said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.

Prankster Vladimir Krasnov admitted his involvement in the hoax phone call to Elton John.

He told Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda that he made the call with his sidekick Alexei Stolyarov, known as “Lexus”.