US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base: The Ministry of Defense's position
The deployment of US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base is dictated by allied commitments and the need to guarantee national security. Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov emphasized that his main priorities are ensuring the stay of the equipment and minimizing risks for the Bulgarian population.
"The role of the state is precisely to minimize risks. Not only independently, but also in the context of an allied format," the minister stated.
Key highlights:
- Security: Full support and cooperation from the US and NATO military leadership are ensured.
- Diplomacy: Bulgaria remains committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts but observes the international treaties it has signed.
- Sovereignty: Decisions are made autonomously, and a refusal to cooperate would compromise future assistance to our country from allies.
We remind you that the National Assembly authorized the stay of up to eight KC-135 aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel at Bezmer Air Base for the period from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of operations in the Middle East.