SIR Elton John and Vladimir Putin were at war last night after the superstar’s Aids charity was banned in Russia.
Tyrant Putin’s prosecutor general’s office declared it an “undesirable organisation” yesterday — making its staff liable to criminal prosecution.
Kremlin goons even suggested workers at the Elton John AIDS Foundation had conspired with “foreign agents” to harm Russia.
The prosecutor’s office accused the charity of promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships, Western family models and gender reassignment”.
It added: “They have a negative attitude towards the policies of countries that protect traditional spiritual and moral values.”
Sir Elton has a huge following in Russia but has publicly clashed with Putin over repression of LGBTQ+ rights.
That has escalated since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as the dictator pushes for a return of “traditional” values.
Putin, 72, has now taken his long-awaited revenge to stop the charity campaigning in Russia.
Last night its workers were in fear of arrest amid wild claims that they had conspired against Russia.
The prosecutor’s office added: “They have been participating in the West’s information campaign to denigrate Russia.
“In our country, the British foundation cooperates closely with non-profits acting as foreign agents.”
And on Telegram, the government body said: “When a musician plays along with the sowers of democracy, it turns into propaganda.
“If Elton John is ‘at the piano’, then it is not only anti-Russian propaganda.”
Sir Elton’s foundation, set up in 1992, has raised £460million to help people in 95 countries access health care and end Aids.
Russia faces shortages of medication for 1.2 million people with HIV, — the highest per capita in Europe.
The country introduced a law banning “gay propaganda” in 2013.
Yesterday’s crackdown came ten years after Putin and Sir Elton, 78, had a “sincere” and “affable” telephone call about LGBT+ rights.
But in 2019, the star wrote an open letter to Putin, accusing him of “hypocrisy” over his claims Russia has “no problems” with gay people.
Sir Elton said his hit movie Rocketman was edited in Russia to remove references to his husband.
Putin’s response to the issue was straightforward. He stated: “We have no issues with LGBT individuals. However, their presence should not diminish the culture and traditional values of the millions of people.”
