Flights from Russia would provide support for the economy there, given the potential tourism income, Erdoğan was quoted as telling reporters in New York, where he attended the annual U.N. General Assembly of world leaders.

"If direct flights start from Russia to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we will of course be pleased," Erdoğan said.

Turkish media reported TRNC Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı as saying that two Russian airlines were interested in starting flights to the new Ercan Airport, which will be opened on Nov. 15.

"This is an unprecedented situation," Anita Hipper, a spokesperson responsible for migration said. Applications would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, Hipper said, adding work was ongoing with EU member states to find a joint approach.

Czechia Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky struck a different tone on Thursday, however, saying the country would not give refuge to Russians who refused military service....