Kanye West to Perform in Russia, Kremlin Denies Putin Meeting

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is scheduled to perform two concerts at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on October 10 and 11, 2026. This marks the first time a major Western music star will perform in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 Source: CNN. Tickets, ranging from 9,000 to 160,000 rubles, sold out within hours Source: CNN. The announcement has sparked controversy, with Russian activist Vitali Borodin calling for the concerts to be canceled, citing West's history of antisemitic remarks and his wife's revealing clothing Source: Infobae. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov denied rumors of a meeting between West and President Vladimir Putin, stating, "This does not concern us... we are the presidential administration" Source: Infobae. West's European tour has faced cancellations in several countries due to his past antisemitic comments and Nazi imagery Source: Euronews. In January 2026, West published a public apology in The Wall Street Journal, attributing his behavior to a severe manic episode Source: Euronews. Despite the controversy, West performed in Kazakhstan and Spain, drawing large crowds Source: Diario Libre. The concerts in Russia have also led to a surge in hotel bookings in Saint Petersburg Source: Infobae.