Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Defends US Deployment: ‘We Must Fulfil Our Commitments’
Jerusalem, 27 July, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Bulgaria is working to minimize risks to the public from US military aircraft stationed at Bezmer Air Base, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said in a television interview on Sunday.
“Risks existed when the aircraft were based at a civilian airport in Sofia, and risks exist now that they are at Bezmer Air Base,” Stoyanov said.
“There are risks and, naturally, public concerns. That is entirely normal. But the state’s role is precisely to minimize those risks, both on its own and within the allied framework,” he said.
“It is no coincidence that we are in contact with the United States and NATO’s military leadership and have their full support and cooperation in protecting our national security,” Stoyanov said.
“The decision to station the aircraft at Bezmer Air Base was difficult for the simple reason that, ultimately, we support the peaceful resolution of every conflict,” he said.
“It is easy to say ‘no,’ but the consequences must also be considered. Since we are party to an agreement and have undertaken commitments under it, we must fulfil them,” Stoyanov said when asked whether the United States could have been turned down.
“If we say ‘no’ when assistance of any kind is needed, will our allies help us if we refuse to help them at certain moments?” he said.
Asked whether the decision to deploy the US aircraft had been made under pressure from the United States, Stoyanov said Bulgaria made its own sovereign decisions under Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s government.
“My job is, first, to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty and, second, to fulfil the allied commitments we have undertaken,” Stoyanov added.
On July 22, 2026, the National Assembly authorized up to eight KC-135 military aircraft, along with their crews, up to 250 service personnel with personal weapons and ammunition, and airfield equipment from the United States Armed Forces to remain in the Republic of Bulgaria and be stationed at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 to October 1, 2026, in support of US operations in the Middle East. The proposal was submitted by the Council of Ministers.
