Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev via FlickrBulgaria’s new government has moved to terminate an arrangement that allows American military aircraft to use Sofia Airport for refueling and logistical operations, linking the decision to the Trump administration’s continued refusal to grant visa-free travel to Bulgarian citizens.Prime Minister Rumen Radev, elected weeks ago in a landslide election, announced Friday that permission for American aircraft and personnel to remain at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport would expire at the end of June, bringing an abrupt end to an agreement approved by the previous government earlier this year.The decision marks one of the first major foreign-policy disputes between the newly elected Bulgarian government and the Trump administration.Radev said he personally raised the issue of visa-free travel during a recent conversation with President Donald Trump but failed to secure a positive response.“I called for the suspension of visas for Bulgarian citizens during my conversation with the American President, but I have not received a positive answer,” Radev said.While acknowledging the complexity of immigration and regulatory procedures in the United States, the Bulgarian leader suggested that Sofia could not indefinitely continue accommodating American requests without progress on issues important to Bulgaria.“We also have our priorities and we cannot respond positively to the request for long stays of aircraft and tankers at Sofia airport,” he added.Under the extension approved by the Bulgarian government, the arrangement will remain in force only until June 30.The temporary extension is intended to provide time for allied militaries to relocate aircraft and personnel to alternative facilities elsewhere in Europe.“We’re extending the permission until the end of June so we can give time to our allies to reschedule and find another location,” Radev explained.The agreement currently covers up to 15 American military aircraft, associated equipment, and as many as 500 personnel.Aircraft operating from Sofia have included Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport planes, and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift cargo aircraft.Bulgarian officials, for their part, have emphasized repeatedly that the aircraft were not intended for any kind of combat missions.Former caretaker Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov previously stated that the deployments were primarily logistical in nature and designed to support allied activities.Earlier this year, speculation emerged that American military assets in Bulgaria could be connected to growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly surrounding Iran. Bulgarian officials publicly rejected those claims.“The exercise is in no way related to the situation with Iran or American negotiations,” Zapryanov said during a briefing in March.According to Bulgarian authorities, the aircraft participated in joint military activities and logistical support missions rather than offensive operations.The dispute nevertheless underscores how even close NATO allies can find themselves at odds over issues that extend far beyond defense cooperation.For years now, Bulgarian governments have sought inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program, arguing that Bulgarian citizens should enjoy the same travel privileges already granted to many other European Union member states.The issue has become politically sensitive inside Bulgaria, where many voters view continued visa requirements as a sign that the country remains treated differently from its Western European partners.Radev appears to have calculated that continued military cooperation should be accompanied by tangible benefits for Bulgarian citizens.The move also reflects the broader political transformation taking place in Sofia.\Radev’s right-wing populist Progressive Bulgaria party won a decisive victory in April elections, ending years of political instability that produced multiple caretaker governments and repeated parliamentary elections.The former president assumed the premiership in May, becoming the first Bulgarian politician in modern history to serve as both president and prime minister.His unusual political trajectory has attracted attention across Europe and within NATO.Analysts have observed and noted that Radev has often taken a more cautious approach toward geopolitical disputes than many other leaders in Eastern Europe.His positions regarding Russia have occasionally generated controversy among critics, who argue that Bulgaria should adopt a harder line toward Moscow.Supporters, however, counter that Radev’s emphasis on national interests and pragmatic diplomacy resonates with voters exhausted by years of political paralysis.The airport dispute is likely to intensify debate about Bulgaria’s role within NATO and its broader relationship with Washington.Some analysts view the decision primarily as a negotiating tactic designed to pressure the United States on the visa issue.Others see it as a signal that Sofia intends to pursue a more independent foreign-policy course under its new leadership.The White House, for now at least, has not publicly responded to Radev’s announcement, and it remains unclear whether further negotiations will occur before the June deadline.The post EU & NATO Member State Bulgaria Tells American Military to Leave After Trump Says No To Visa-Free Travel Deal appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.