Russia delivers message to Kanye West over question on meeting powerful figure

Kanye West is heading to Russia for two shows, making him the first widely popular Western star to perform in the European country since the war in Ukraine in 2022.

However, aside from the excitement in the rapper's fanbase, one thing is clear: he will not meet President Vladimir Putin face-to-face.

According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, he immediately dismissed speculation about a meeting between the divisive rapper and the Russian head of state.

“This isn’t our topic. This isn’t Mosconcert — this is the presidential administration,” he told reporters when asked about the possibility of a one-on-one meeting.

That being clear, Ye will perform at two key shows at St. Petersburg's Gazprom Arena on Oct 10 and 11.

His concert excitement is already through the roof, with ticket prices reportedly soaring to up to 160,000 rubles.

Shows in Russia are part of the Grammy winner's European tour, where he has already performed in several countries.

Some welcomed him, and others shut the doors on him over his controversial past.

Yet with a 70,000-seat stadium and tickets sold within hours, West's concerts in Russia are expected to recreate the spectacles he previously delivered in his other shows in Europe.