Russia is following the economic situation in Europe with anxiety, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
Moscow was nervous about Europe because 51 percent of Russia's foreign trade involves European markets, Putin told reporters.
"They still cannot get out of their troubles. We follow the situation with anxiety," he said.
Putin said some European countries have entered recession, citing the unemployment rate in Greece and Spain. He added that the European Union (EU) should be strengthened and its financial sector should be stabilized.
The prime minister pointed to Germany and France as good examples of insistent anti-crisis work and urged the European Central Bank to participate more actively in anti-crisis policy.
Putin also voiced hope that balanced decisions will be made to consolidate the EU.
"I have no apocalyptical suggestions and I would like to wish them a success," Putin said. "If we work in coordination, we'll overcome (the difficulties) step by step despite the numerous threats./."