Bulgaria Limits U.S. Military Stay amid Visa Waiver Dispute

Bulgaria will permit U.S. military aircraft to remain in the country until June's end, following the U.S.'s failure to establish a visa-free entry for Bulgarians. Prime Minister Rumen Radev insists on visa reform as military agreements extend temporarily to offer the U.S. more time for reconsideration.

Bulgaria has announced that U.S. military aircraft will only be allowed to stay in the country until the end of June. This decision follows the United States' inability to approve a visa-free travel system for Bulgarians, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

Radev expressed understanding for the complexity of the U.S. regulatory procedures but emphasized that Bulgaria has its own priorities and procedures that need to be respected. Consequently, Bulgaria cannot approve extended stays for U.S. military assets at Sofia Airport.

In recent discussions, Radev urged U.S. President Donald Trump to expedite the visa system suspension for Bulgarian nationals, yet received no positive response. The Bulgarian government plans to extend the current agreement for U.S. aircraft until June's end to allow the U.S. time to reconsider its actions.