Erdoğan: Turkey not concerned over Omicron

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that they are not concerned over the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in Turkey, which led to a drastic increase in infectivity over the past month.

While the new variant causes an increase in the number of cases, Omicron patients recover more quickly, he said.

"We have no problems in our hospitals. The situation is positive," said Erdoğan adding that they had no concerns over hospital capacities.

"I think we are getting better every day, but our citizens should also be a little careful. Mask, distance, and cleanliness are important," said the president.

Russia-Ukraine tensions

The president also touched upon the tnsions between Russia and Ukraine, saying that Ankara is ready to act as a mediator between the two countries.

"We will not accept unrest in the region. We want peace to prevail and we are ready to do our part," he told reporters after Friday prayers.

He warned that any sort of occupation or outbreak of war poses a grave threat to regional peace.

Stressing that Turkey has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, Erdogan said he will visit Kyiv in the near future and a trip to Moscow may also be a possibility.

Diplomatic efforts continue to de-escalate heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with all eyes again set on the Russia-Ukraine border and frontline territories. (AS/VK)