Bulgaria to limit US military aircraft presence amid visa dispute

Bulgaria says it will allow U.S. military aircraft to remain on its territory only until the end of June, according to the Bulgarian government.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the decision reflects frustration over a lack of progress on visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens to the United States, Reuters reports.

“I fully understand the complexity of the ​regulatory procedures and the need for time, ⁠but we also have our priorities and procedures, ​and we cannot respond positively to the request ​for long stays of aircraft and tanks at the Sofia airport,” Radev said.

He added that he had previously discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump and urged him to accelerate consideration of visa liberalisation for Bulgarian citizens, but did not receive a positive response.

Bulgaria hosts US military aircraft in Sofia under an agreement that expires at the end of May. According to Radev, the government decided to extend it until the end of June to give the United States time to reconsider its position.