Kanye West in Moscow: Concert Rumors Swirl, Putin Meeting Speculated

Kanye West arrived in Moscow today, fueling rumors of a potential concert and a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The rapper's visit coincides with the birthday of Gosha Rubchinskiy, the new creative director of West's Yeezy brand.

Russian media outlets reported West's arrival, citing footage appearing to show him in the Moscow subway. While sources suggest the visit is primarily to celebrate Rubchinskiy's birthday, the possibility of a concert hasn't been definitively ruled out. There have been no official announcements from West's representatives or potential venues regarding a performance.

Kanye West arrives in Moscowhttps://t.co/JdkYJGdjoS pic.twitter.com/KvmBlxZxCd

— RT (@RT_com) June 30, 2024

In December 2023, West appointed Rubchinskiy to lead the Yeezy design team. A statement from Yeezy at the time hailed the move as "a milestone in design history."

Kanye West's loyalty to Russia has turned into open support for aggression against Ukraine. The American rapper, who has a huge army of fans around the world, continues to praise Putin and everything he does. Adolf Hitler is another figure Kanye seems to be influenced by. pic.twitter.com/3XDJuELPeB

— Jan Wouters Esq. 🇧🇪 🇺🇦 @BelgianBoy@mastodon.social (@layoutdokter) June 30, 2024

The 47-year-old rapper, known for past statements praising President Putin, was filmed walking with an entourage in Moscow, wearing baggy white trousers and a white hoodie. Videos circulating online show him shopping and interacting with fans.

West posted "Hello, Moscow" in Russian on VKontakte, the country's state-monitored social media platform, on Sunday. He was also seen in a Moscow underpass, a hotel lobby, the Gum mall, and Red Square.

Reports indicate West is staying at the Four Seasons Hotel near the Kremlin, where the Presidential Suite reportedly costs around £10,000 ($12,450 USD) per night.

Russian Ye’s fans are waiting for him in front of his hotel in Moscow 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/Cr4dqm4cs3

— Donda Times (@dondatimes) June 30, 2024

West's visit to Russia has sparked controversy, as most Western celebrities have distanced themselves from the country following its invasion of Ukraine. However, West, who has faced criticism for various controversial statements and actions, remains an exception. His past praise for Putin raises questions about the nature of his visit and potential interactions with Russian officials.