Bulgaria to End US Military Aircraft Permit at Sofia Airport by End of June

Bulgaria will end the permit for US military aircraft at Sofia Airport by the end of June, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Friday. The decision follows Radev’s talks with US President Donald Trump earlier this month, during which he stressed the need to address visa issues for Bulgarian citizens. However, the request has not received a positive response. Bulgarian citizens are among those from EU nations without visa-free travel to the US for tourism. According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, Radev stated at the start of Friday’s cabinet meeting (29 May) that there had been no positive response from the US regarding the visa issue. He emphasised that Bulgaria has its own priorities and procedures and cannot approve an extension for US military aircraft at Sofia Airport, despite “fully understanding the complexities of regulatory procedures and the need for time”. US KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft have been stationed in Sofia since mid-February, with six of them present at the capital’s airport in mid-May, media reports said.