Bulgaria to End US Military Aircraft Stay Owing to Visa Dispute

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the United States has not granted visa waivers for Bulgarian citizens traveling to America as requested.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after casting his vote in Sofia, on Nov. 21, 2021. Valentina Petrova/AP Photo

Bulgaria will not allow U.S. tanker aircraft to remain at Sofia Airport for a prolonged period, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said, expressing dissatisfaction that the United States has not granted visa waivers for Bulgarian citizens traveling to the United States.

In March, Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers had authorized the United States to deploy up to 15 aircraft and up to 500 support personnel for nonmilitary purposes at the Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, according to a May 29 report from the state-owned Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).