PM Radev Says Deployment of US Aircraft Is in Line with Bulgaria's Allied Commitments

Prime Minister Rumen Radev Wednesday told MPs that "what we are doing at the moment is meeting our allied commitments". He was presenting a draft resolution on the deployment of US of up to eight US Air Force KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft with their crews, up to 250 US military personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition, and related airfield equipment at Bezmer Air Base in Southeastern Bulgaria from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East.

"The United States is our principal ally in the field of security," Radev said. He urged MPs to approve the deployment of US tanker aircraft and said he was leaving the decision to their "Euro-Atlantic conscience". According to him, the allies' air defence system is operating with exceptional reliability.

Bulgaria does not pursue a double standard policy, the Prime Minister said. "What I have been saying for years is that there is no military solution to the war in Ukraine. The position of 'peace through strength' will lead to more casualties and greater loss of territory. I still maintain this position; I said the same in Brussels and Ankara to NATO allies and to the international media," he added.

Radev said that an attempt was being made to achieve victory over the world's largest nuclear power without having the capabilities to counter its hypersonic weapons, which increases nuclear risks. "This is the worst scenario and we must stop this escalation and avoid it. I said as much in France - that Bulgaria's place is not in the Coalition of the Willing," he said.

"Everyone knew from day one that the tanker aircraft were not here for an exercise. These exercises are included in NATO's exercise schedule, which is prepared a year in advance. Can you tell me who the exercise director was and who our partners were? You cannot," Radev said. He added that the "lie was exposed" on May 14 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who thanked Bulgaria for supporting the operation in the Middle East and "said that you had agreed before being asked".

"What we have set to rights was for these aircraft to leave Sofia Airport, which is a civilian airport, because nowhere in Europe are tanker aircraft based at a civilian airport," the Prime Minister added.

Radev said that immediately after taking office, the government had proposed to its allies that the aircraft leave Sofia Airport and move to Bezmer or Graf Ignatievo Air Base. "They refused, so we gave them one month – until June 30 – to have enough time to find another location. The note we received this time was the real one. The law requires the decision to be taken by Parliament and we are not hiding. You have no grounds to claim that the government is hiding behind Parliament. The government is implementing the law," he said.

"Our government's position on the war in Ukraine is to pursue diplomacy and negotiations, not send more weapons and money," Radev said. He explained that he had stated he would not terminate the agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, because it was declaratory in nature and assessed the possibility of providing support.

On July 3, Radev said at Parliament's Question Time the government would not revoke the bilateral agreement with Ukraine because it is declaratory in nature and only envisages the possibility of providing support.

On Wednesday, Radev told the MPs the Freyja anti-ballistic missile coalition is a good initiative, but only nine countries have joined it and there is no country from Central or Eastern Europe among them.

He also said US European Command (EUCOM) had posted on Facebook the previous day that it was working closely with the Bulgarian government to counter any potential threats: "The U.S. has regional defense capabilities in NATO's eastern flank, including Bulgaria, and we work closely with the Bulgarian government, as well as our Allies and partners in the broader region, to remain vigilant against - and to counter - any potential threats."

"If anyone has made deals, it is not us, and we have never made deals for political indulgence," Radev said regarding relations with the United States.

He was apparently referring to Wednesday's statement by Democratic Bulgaria Deputy Floor Leader Bozhidar Bozhanov that Radev and Progressive Bulgaria have yet to answer whether the decision on the deployment of US tanker aircraft at Bezmer Air Base is part of a deal related to the derogation for Lukoil and the availability of petroleum products in Bulgaria.

/KT/