According to Politico, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was asked yesterday (Thursday, August 20) whether or not Putin will meet Kanye for this tour visit. “This isn’t our topic,” Peskov reportedly stated to reporters. “This isn’t Mosconcert, this is the presidential administration.”

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For those unaware, the Chicago artist is reportedly facing pressure to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ahead of his concerts in St. Petersburg. Politician Nikolay Novichkov warned the concerts could face cancelation if Ye doesn’t publicly show “moral support for Russia and the special military operation” in Ukraine.

Also, conservative lawmaker Vitaly Milonov asked for Kanye West to perform traditional Russian songs during his performances. Milonov posited Ye may refrain from his “disgusting antics” and become a “normal person” in the future if he does so.

Previously, Kanye West’s concerts have faced similar controversy. Much like the backlash in Russia, authorities in the United Kingdom, Slovakia, France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic canceled or prohibited Ye performances for various reasons. Much of it is his antisemitism and other forms of bigotry, although other cancelations have been for external factors apart from sociopolitical controversy.

Whether or not the Yeezy mogul meets with Vladimir Putin or the Kremlin, any association regarding the conflict with Ukraine will also cause debate in either direction. So things could get a lot more complicated for him.

Regardless, Kanye West is pressing on with new material and presumably hopes to treat as many fans worldwide as possible to performances. Now, all that’s left to see is whether any logistical or state-related issues hinder the path to the October shows’ execution.

If the shows go by as planned, Ye would become one of the biggest Western stars on the planet to perform in Russia since the Ukraine invasion began in 2022.