Elton John says he'll meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin to speak about the country's "isolating and prejudiced" treatment of LGBT people.

In 2013 Russia passed a law making it legal to prosecute those promoting "homosexual behaviour among minors."

"I would like to meet Mr Putin," John said during a conference in Ukraine.

"It's probably pie in the sky . . . He may laugh behind my back when he shuts the door, and call me an absolute idiot, but at least I can think I have the conscience to say I tried."

Elton noted that previously he'd had positive talks with Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko.

"We need Ukrainian businessmen and power brokers to create a more inclusive and tolerant society. We need this everywhere!"