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KYIV -- British authorities are examining whether Ukraine's former tax chief, a Ukrainian citizen who may also hold a British passport, committed crimes for which he could be prosecuted in the United Kingdom after a court in Ukraine ignored evidence they provided, according to the British Embassy in Kyiv.

Roman Nasirov, the former chief of Ukraine's Fiscal Service and an ally of President Petro Poroshenko, was arrested in Ukraine on corruption charges in March, a move that was heralded as a landmark win for anticorruption officials in the country's fight against entrenched graft.

But in the ensuing trial, prosecutors have struggled to have all evidence, including that provided by Britain, heard by the Kyiv court. That prompted the British Embassy to take the extraordinary step of announcing on June 16 that it will consider other possible prosecutorial options against the tax chief.

"We are deeply concerned about the recent decision in Kyiv's Solomiansky court, where evidence provided by the UK in relation to the case against Roman Nasirov was ruled inadmissible and disregarded," the British Embassy in Kyiv said in a statement published on its social-media accounts.

"The U.K. authorities will now review the facts and consider if criminal offenses have been committed by a British citizen which may be tried in the U.K."

The embassy went on to say Nasirov's case underscored Ukraine's "urgent need for progress towards a reformed, independent, and transparent judicial system and the swift introduction of specialized anticorruption courts with strictly vetted judges capable of properly trying high-profile corruption cases."

Ukrainian prosecutors accuse Nasirov, who was removed from his post on March 3, of defrauding the Ukrainian state of 2 billion hryvnyas (about $77 million) to the benefit of fugitive Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Onyshchenko.

Nasirov has called the case against him "politically motivated" and said he will fight to prove his innocence.

His arrest marked the first detention of such a high-ranking current or former Ukrainian official since the country's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was overthrown in 2014, and a pro-Western government came to power.

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UK Probing Whether Ukraine's Ex-Tax Chief May Stand Trial In Britain - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

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US secretary of state Rex Tillerson told members of Congress the Minsk deal was not the only route out of the conflict Ukraine-Russia conflict. Photograph: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has said Russia and Ukraine could solve their conflict without the beleaguered Minsk peace plan, in comments that suggest Washington may be preparing to intensify its own efforts to end more than three years of fighting.

The Minsk deal of February 2015 was brokered by Germany and France and signed by representatives of Kiev, Moscow and Russian-backed separatists from eastern Ukraine, but it has failed to halt a conflict that has killed 10,000 people and displaced 1.5 million.

Officials from Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France meet frequently to discuss implementation of the largely ineffective agreement, but the US administration of Donald Trump now appears to be seeking a bigger say in the issue.

Amid reports that Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko would meet Mr Trump in Washington as early as next week, Mr Tillerson told members of the US Congress that the Minsk deal was not the only route out of the conflict.

It is very possible that the government of Ukraine and the government of Russia could come to a satisfactory resolution through some structure other than Minsk but would achieve the objectives of Minsk, which were committed to, Mr Tillerson told a hearing of the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee.

When asked whether the US should ease sanctions on Russia before it complied with the Minsk deal, Mr Tillerson requested more flexibility - a term that will alarm those who suspect Mr Trump is intent on forging closer ties with Moscow despite its continued aggression in Ukraine and alleged interference in last years US elections.

I think it is important that we be given sufficient flexibility to achieve the Minsk objectives... I wouldnt want to have ourselves handcuffed to Minsk if it turns out the parties decide to settle this through a different agreement, Mr Tillerson said on Wednesday.

While insisting that Russia must be held accountable for its meddling in US elections, Mr Tillerson said Mr Trump must have the flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation...to turn up the heat when we need to, but also to ensure that we have the ability to maintain a constructive dialogue with Moscow.

Germany and France remain committed to the Minsk process, but Ukrainian and Russian officials have expressed willingness to see the US play a stronger role on the issue.

Under former US president Barack Obama, then assistant secretary of state Victoria Nuland held talks on Ukraine with senior Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov. No successor to Ms Nuland appears to have been appointed, however.

The US Senate voted on Wednesday for new sanctions to punish Russia for interfering in the US election, and to oblige Mr Trump to secure Congresss backing before easing existing measures.

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Ukraine and Russia could forge peace without Minsk deal - US - Irish Times

Forbes

What The Russia Sanctions Upgrade Means For Trump And Ukraine Forbes President Donald Trump has lost his argument for a Russia reset. With Ukraine and U.S. oil companies at least partially in mind, a new bill passed by an overwhelming 97 to 2 majority in the Senate on Wednesday punishes Russian oil and gas firms even ... and more »

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What The Russia Sanctions Upgrade Means For Trump And Ukraine - Forbes

Vladimir Putin has referred to "the territories which now belong to Ukraine" in ominous comments during his annual phone-in.

The Russian President made several remarks about Ukraine, recent anti-government protests and his country's relations with the United States, duringA Direct Line With Putin.

"I hope at some time this period in the life and history of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people will come to an end," Mr Putin said.

Mr Putin used the question and answer session to talk to voters aboutkey issues ahead of next year's presidential election, which he is expected to contest.

Anti-Putin protests: Russian police arrest hundreds as thousands rally against Kremlin corruption

He went on to say how much he values the views of Ukranians who remember the "common history" uniting Russia and Ukraine. "We grasp it and we value it highly, believe me."

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and is supporting pro-Russia insurgents in eastern Ukraine, leading Western nations to place sanctions on Moscow.

"If it wasn't for Crimea, other problems, they would have invented something else to deter Russia," he said.

During the tightly choreographed marathon TV appearance, Mr Putin gave a rare glimpse into his private life, saying he has two grandchildren whose privacy he wants to respect, and even spoke to a man whose wife had given birth moments ago.

He described Ukranian nationalists as "swastika-brandishing loonies" and added the fathers of Ukranian nationalism believed the country should be a federal state.

"We have many friends in Ukraine," he said, before going on to say the Ukranian nationalists "all believed Ukraine should be independent but it should also be a federal state."

He added that "over-centralisation... would lead to domestic conflicts in Ukraine. This is what we have been witnessing.

"By the way, some of the defenders of the Ukrainian independence and the Ukrainian nationalism did not see Crimea as part of Ukraine."

He said construction of a bridge to connect mainland Russia with Crimea is on schedule "and even slightly ahead of it". It is meant to be operational by the end of next year.

Mr Putin also joked that Russia would offer asylum to former FBI director James Comey (Getty Images)

During the four-hour show, Mr Putin accused his opponents of "abusing" and exploiting problems in Russia rather than offering a solution.

He said that while "street protests always emerge as part of democratic procedures," they were "not being done to improve the situation in the country."

He also said Russia's campaign in Syria had allowed the military to test its state-of-the art weapons in real combat.

The experience allowed engineers to polish weapons designs and has given a "new quality" to the Russian military, he said.

Vladimir Putin offers political asylum to JamesComey

Mr Putin also joked that Russia would offer asylum to former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Donald Trump.

He said it was "very strange" the FBI official had leaked details of conversations with the US President and compared his actions to those of Edward Snowden.

The Russian President said his country was "ready for a constructive dialogue" with the US.

Mr Putin said Moscow and Washington could cooperate in efforts to prevent the proliferation of mass destruction weapons, including the North Korean nuclear and missile problem.

He said the two countries could also cooperate in dealing with global poverty and efforts to prevent climate change.

"As far as the flashpoints are concerned... there are positive examples of our cooperation. Syrian problem, Mid-Eastern problem on the whole... There are other flashpoints and we are very hopeful for the United States' constructive role in the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis... We are ready for a constructive dialogue."

Additional reporting by agencies

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Vladimir Putin refers to 'territories now called Ukraine' in ominous comments during annual phone-in - The Independent

By Joshua Cohen By Joshua Cohen June 15 at 6:00 AM

Josh Cohen is a former U.S. Agency for International Development project officer involved in managing economic reform projects in the former Soviet Union.

As Ukraines fight against Russian-supported separatists continues, Kiev faces another threat to its long-term sovereignty: powerful right-wing ultranationalist groups. These groups are not shy about using violence to achieve their goals, which are certainly at odds with the tolerant Western-oriented democracy Kiev ostensibly seeks to become.

The recent brutal stabbing of a left-wing anti-war activist named Stas Serhiyenko illustrates the threat posed by these extremists. Serhiyenko and his fellow activists believe the perpetrators belonged to the neo-Nazi group C14 (whose name comes from a 14-word phrase used by white supremacists). The attack took place on the anniversary of Hitlers birthday, and C14s leader published a statement that celebrated Serhiyenkos stabbing immediately afterward.

The attack on Serhiyenko is just the tip of the iceberg. More recently C14 beat up a socialist politician while other ultranationalist thugs stormed the Lviv and Kiev City Councils. Far-right and neo-Nazi groups have also assaulted or disrupted art exhibitions, anti-fascist demonstrations, a Ukrainians Choose Peace event, LGBT events, a social center, media organizations, court proceedings and a Victory Day march celebrating the anniversary of the end of World War II.

According to a study from activist organization Institute Respublica, the problem is not only the frequency of far-right violence, but the fact that perpetrators enjoy widespread impunity. Its not hard to understand why Kiev seems reluctant to confront these violent groups. For one thing, far-right paramilitary groups played an important role early in the war against Russian-supported separatists. Kiev also fears these violent groups could turn on the government itself something theyve donebefore and continue to threatento do.

To be clear, Russian propaganda about Ukraine being overrun by Nazis or fascists is false. Far-right parties such as Svoboda or Right Sector draw little support from Ukrainians.

Even so, the threat cannot be dismissed out of hand. If authorities dont end the far rights impunity, it risks further emboldening them, argues Krasimir Yankov, a researcher with Amnesty International in Kiev. Indeed, the brazen willingness of Vita Zaverukha a renowned neo-Nazi out on bail andunder house arrest after killing two police officers to post pictures of herself after storming a popular Kiev restaurant with 50 other nationalists demonstrates the far rights confidence in their immunity from government prosecution.

Its not too late for the government to take steps to reassert control over the rule of law. First, authorities should enact a zero-tolerance policy on far-right violence. President Petro Poroshenko should order key law enforcement agencies the Interior Ministry, the National Police of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) to make stopping far-right activity a top priority.

The legal basis for prosecuting extremist vigilantism certainly exists. The Criminal Code of Ukraine specifically outlaws violence against peaceful assemblies. The police need to start enforcing this law.

Most importantly, the government must also break any connections between law enforcement agencies and far-right organizations. The clearest example of this problem lies in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is headed by Arsen Avakov. Avakov has a long-standing relationship with the Azov Battalion, a paramilitary group that uses the SS symbol as its insignia and which, with several others, was integrated into the army or National Guard at the beginning of the war in the East. Critics have accused Avakov of using members of the group to threaten an opposition media outlet. As at least one commentator has pointed out, using the National Guard to combat ultranationalist violence is likely to prove difficult if far-right groups have become part of the Guard itself.

Avakovs Deputy Minister Vadym Troyan was a member of the neo-Nazi Patriot of Ukraine (PU) paramilitary organization, while current Ministry of Interior official Ilya Kiva a former member of the far-right Right Sector party whose Instagram feed is populated with images of former Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini has called for gays to be put to death. And Avakov himself used the PU to promote his business and political interests while serving as a governor in eastern Ukraine, and as interior minister formed and armed the extremist Azov battalion led by Andriy Biletsky, a man nicknamed the White Chief who called for a crusade against Semite-led sub-humanity.

Such officials have no place in a government based on the rule of law; they should go. More broadly, the government should also make sure that every police officer receives human rights training focused on improving the policing and prosecution of hate crimes. Those demonstrating signs of extremist ties or sympathies should be excluded.

In one notorious incident, media captured images of swastika-tattooed thugs who police claimed were only job applicants wanting to have fun giving the Nazi salute in a police building in Kiev. This cannot be allowed to go on, and its just as important for Ukrainian democracy to cleanse extremists from law enforcement as it is to remove corrupt officials from former president Viktor Yanukovychs regime under Ukraines lustration policy.

Its still not too late for Poroshenko to end the far rights growing sense of impunity. But he must act now.

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Ukraine's ultra-right militias are challenging the government to a showdown - Washington Post