It would actually be hypothetically possible for the American rapper Kanye West, better known as Ye now, to sit down and talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin while visiting the country. This idea was raised by the State Duma deputy and the first deputy chairman of the International Affairs Committee Svetlana Zhurova speaking to Lenta.ru on August 18, saying that the meeting is “hypothetically possible.” However, she emphasized that it is subject to schedule compatibility and safety and health requirements.
As was announced on August 17, Ye is going to give two concerts on October 10 and 11 in Gazprom Arena, which can accommodate around 70-80 thousand spectators for concerts. The tickets cost between 9,000 and 160,000 rubles ($106-$1,880), where VIP ones cost the most. The cheapest tickets were sold out in just one hour after the news was made. It would be his first performances in Russia and one of the highest profile events of the Western artist in the country after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Anna Subcheva, managing director of promoter Say Agency, told RIA Novosti that meeting Putin is Ye’s “long-standing dream” and that he has “expressed great admiration” for the Russian president for years. Zhurova echoed the practical hurdles:
“The main issue here is the working schedule of our president and the artist’s own schedule, so that they align,”
While also citing security and health checks.
“Hypothetically, such a possibility exists.”
Ye has shown interest for years. He once called himself “Young Putin” in interviews. Reports from 2018–2022 described efforts to arrange a meeting, and in June 2024 he made a private visit to Moscow for fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy’s birthday. No concert or Putin encounter happened then. A composite image circulating online of the two men is illustrative only and does not document any real meeting.
Past racist declarations and reverence of Hitler by the artist have affected the response to the situation. Russian member of parliament Nikolai Novichkov stated that the government should examine the statements made by the artist and ban the concerts if Ye does not demonstrate any signs of “moral support” for Russian activities in Ukraine. One more conservative member of parliament Vitaly Milonov suggested that he should sing traditional Russian songs. Some people view his arrival in Russia as yet one step of propaganda by Moscow as it proves that despite isolation, the communication with prominent Western artists is still possible. However, other people see it in a different light as Russia emphasizes its victory over Nazism in the World War II.
It will become a reality when the Kremlin announces it officially, schedules the meeting, and Putin actually meets him. Otherwise, the coming of Ye to St. Petersburg is a reality while Putin’s visit is not.
