KIEV, July 13 ??“ Petro Symonenko, the leader of the Communist Party, a partner in the pro-Russian coalition, was in Moscow on Wednesday seeking Russia??™s assistance in preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and the European Union.

Symonenko??™s visit to Moscow raises questions about the role the Kremlin plays in fostering the pro-Russian coalition in Ukraine that seeks to change President Viktor Yushchenko??™s pro-Western foreign policy.