The Kremlin has stated that organizing a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, is not within its purview, despite the artist’s planned arrival in Russia this autumn.
On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked if Putin could meet with the controversial American artist during his upcoming tour. Peskov dismissed the possibility, telling journalists: “This is not our topic. This is not Moskontsert — this is the presidential administration.”
Kanye West is scheduled to perform two concerts at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg, which holds 70,000 spectators, on October 10 and 11. This will make him one of the largest Western music stars to perform in Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Tickets priced from 9,000 to 160,000 rubles (92 to 1,642 euros) sold out within hours.
Issues with European tour and controversial statements
The rapper’s European tour has been marred by numerous issues. In April, West was banned from entering the United Kingdom, leading to the cancellation of his performance at the London Wireless festival. In July, a Slovak festival featuring him was canceled. Concerts in France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic were also canceled.
The wave of criticism is a continuation of years of scandals surrounding West’s anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi remarks. The rapper has praised Adolf Hitler, released a song titled “Heil Hitler,” and sold merchandise featuring swastika symbols.
However, even in Russia, not everyone is favorable toward West. Earlier this week, conservative lawmaker Vitaly Milonov suggested that West perform traditional Russian songs during his visit, adding that perhaps after that he would stop his “disgusting antics” and become a “normal person.”
The Kremlin, for its part, has long claimed that eradicating alleged widespread Nazism in Kyiv is one of the key justifications for its war against Ukraine.
Source: Politico
