Kathmandu— US rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his scheduled performances in Russia next month, according to Svetlana Zhurova, first deputy chair of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee. West is set to perform in St. Petersburg on October 10 and 11 as part of his Ye Live Concert Tour, and a meeting with Putin is being considered, contingent upon scheduling and security protocols. The potential encounter comes after West previously visited Moscow in June 2024 and has publicly expressed admiration for the Russian president.

Potential Meeting Logistics

Zhurova indicated that while Putin has met with other international celebrities, a meeting with West would depend on practical considerations. “Hypothetically, such a possibility exists,” she told Lenta.ru, adding that aligning the schedules of both Putin and West is the primary challenge. She also noted the importance of addressing security and health requirements typically associated with presidential meetings.

Rapper’s Long-Held Desire

Anna Subcheva, head of concert organizer SAY Agency, stated that a meeting with Putin has been a long-standing goal for West. According to Subcheva, the rapper has “expressed great admiration” for the Russian president for several years. The agency is working to facilitate the encounter alongside logistical arrangements for the concerts.

Controversy and Concert Demand

West’s upcoming performances in Russia follow a series of cancellations and bans in European countries stemming from his controversial statements regarding Jews, Adolf Hitler, and Nazism. He has since issued apologies for some of these remarks, attributing them to bipolar disorder and “poor judgment.” Despite the controversy, demand for West's St. Petersburg concerts is high; VIP tickets reportedly sold out within two hours of becoming available.

West’s visit marks his first concert appearances in Russia, following a previous private trip to Moscow last year. Organizers are continuing to coordinate schedules and logistics to potentially facilitate a meeting between the rapper and President Putin.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.