Bulgaria to end U.S. military aircraft rights at end of June

Bulgaria's new Prime Minister and former President Rumen Radev speaks ahead of the vote and swearing-in of the new government at the Bulgarian Parliament building in Sofia, on May 8, 2026. Rumen Radev, who won Bulgaria's elections last month on promises to fight graft, was named prime minister on May 7, 2026, raising hopes of a stable government in the EU member after eight votes in five years. (Photo by Dimitar KYOSEMARLIEV / AFP via Getty Images) — Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister and former President Rumen Radev speaks ahead of the vote and swearing-in of the new government at the Bulgarian Parliament building in Sofia, on May 8, 2026. (Photo by Dimitar KYOSEMARLIEV / AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Staff Jenna Lee
7:02 PM – Friday, May 29, 2026

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the rights of U.S. military aircraft to utilize the Sofia International airport will end on June 30^th, following Washington’s “failure to approve a visa-free travel system for Bulgarian citizens,” he stated.

The decision shortens a previously requested extension by the U.S., giving American forces a one-month window to relocate their operations.

“I called for the suspension of visas for Bulgarian citizens during my conversation with the U.S. President, but I have not received a positive answer, said Radev during a cabinet meeting. “While I fully understand the complexity of all the regulatory procedures, we also have our priorities.”

“We’re extending the permission until the end of June so we can give time to our allies to reschedule and find another location,” he added.

The diplomatic friction follows a recent conversation between Radev and President Donald Trump, where the Bulgarian leader insisted the visa matter be settled quickly. Bulgaria remains among the last European Union nations whose citizens require a visa for tourist visits to the U.S.

Radev’s newly formed Progressive Bulgaria Party won a landslide victory in the country’s parliamentary elections in April, campaigning on a platform that emphasizes national priorities. The U.S. military has utilized Sofia International Airport to host a variety of military assets under a previous agreement, though it was already set to expire at the end of May.

These include Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport jets, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift transport aircraft and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft.

Up to six KC-135 Stratotankers have been stationed in the Bulgarian capital since mid-February. The temporary extension approved by Bulgaria’s Government Information Service will allow up to 15 U.S. military aircraft, associated equipment and 500 personnel to remain only through the end of June.

In early March, then-Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov declared that the Trump administration had not officially requested to base military aircraft inside Bulgaria for potential operations against Iran, framing the current deployment under standard allied cooperation.

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Bulgaria to end U.S. military aircraft rights at end of June

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