AiBotIn a statement, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radov announced that the agreement for United States Air Force (USAF) military aircraft to remain at the Sofia International Airport and the attached Vrazhdebna Air Base will expire at the end of June. The expiration of the agreement is attributed to the US government’s failure to approve a visa-free travel arrangement for Bulgarian citizens to visit the United States.
Bulgaria and the US have had a long-standing agreement allowing USAF aircraft to temporarily base at Sofia International Airport and the Vrazhdebna Air Base. The Vrazhdebna Air Base is strategically situated, offering close proximity to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the regional military command tasked with overseeing operations in the Middle East.
The airbase has historically hosted a number of KC-135R/T “Stratotanker” aircraft. These aerial refueling planes have played a significant role in supporting a range of US military operations, including the Iran War. By providing in-flight refueling services to aircraft based in the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase, the Stratotankers facilitated strikes against Iranian targets. The USAF’s ability to maintain a presence in Bulgaria has been instrumental in projecting air power in support of CENTCOM operations.
The impasse over visa arrangements has created tension in the Bulgaria-US relations. Bulgaria’s decision to terminate the agreement is a direct response to the lack of reciprocity in visa arrangements between the two nations. The move highlights the importance of visa policies in bilateral relations and underlines the US government’s role in negotiating agreements that support strategic military objectives.
The US Department of State and the US Defense Department have yet to comment on Bulgaria’s decision. As the expiration of the agreement approaches, both governments will likely face increased scrutiny over their handling of the diplomatic dispute.