The planned withdrawal of US military aircraft from Sofia Airport is linked to a broader NATO rotational strategy and not to pressure from Prime Minister Rumen Radev over the issue of visas for Bulgarian citizens, according to information surrounding the deployment and previously agreed timelines.
Further reading: PM Radev Gives Trump Ultimatum Over Bulgaria-US Visa Waiver Tied to Limits on American Aircraft Presence
On Friday, Radev stated that Bulgaria would extend the stay of the US aircraft at Sofia Airport only until the end of June after Washington had not responded positively to Sofia’s request to lift visa requirements for Bulgarians. “We also have our priorities and procedures and cannot respond positively to the request for a long stay of tanker planes at Sofia Airport,” the prime minister said, adding that the additional month would allow allied forces time to reorganize and relocate operations elsewhere.
The statement created the impression that Bulgaria was limiting the US military presence as leverage in the visa dispute. However, the original deployment request submitted by the United States already covered the period from February 17 until May 31, 2026. Washington had requested permission for up to 15 aircraft and around 500 service personnel to participate in NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities, and the arrangement was approved by the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov.
