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.

???Ukraine??™s integration into NATO and the E.U. is the loss of sovereignty,??? Symonenko said after the visit. ???We will be defending this sovereignty, including with the assistance from Russia.???

A group of small pro-Russian parties, including the Communists, staged vocal protests in Crimea last month successfully preventing an annual NATO exercise in the area.

A top Ukrainian security service official said links had been traced between the protesters in Crimea and Russian government officials, suggesting Russia has played the role in the protests.