Bulgaria stops US military aircraft refuelling after US declines to lift visa requirements. US military aircraft won't be able to use Sofia's airport for stay and refuelling after June.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radev has halted a refuelling arrangement for US military aircraft at Sofia's airport. The decision comes after the US failed to approve a visa-free system for Bulgarian citizens.

Background to the Decision

Earlier in May, Radev claimed he had spoken to President Donald Trump about the aircraft stay and called for the suspension of the visa rule for Bulgarian nationals. Radev stated that he had not received a positive answer from Trump. The stay was initially greenlit in February by the previous government for logistical support aircraft, including Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

Details of the Halt

Radev announced that the permission for US military aircraft to use Sofia's airport for stay and refuelling will only be extended until the end of June. This will give time for allies to reschedule and find another location. The aircraft concerned were not intended for combat operations but provided logistical support for allied missions.

Key points

• Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radev has halted a refuelling arrangement for US military aircraft at Sofia's airport.
• The decision comes after the US failed to approve a visa-free system for Bulgarian citizens.
• Radev had spoken to President Donald Trump about the aircraft stay and called for the suspension of the visa rule for Bulgarian nationals.
• The permission for US military aircraft to use Sofia's airport will only be extended until the end of June.
• The aircraft concerned include Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.
• The aircraft were not intended for combat operations but provided logistical support for allied missions.