Radev dismisses threat concerns over US tankers

Approached for comment on the two US tanker aircraft that left Bezmer Air Base on August 21, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Monday that they have not made a single flight south. The only flights are to NATO countries to the north and west of Bulgaria for participation in exercises and training, he added.

The Prime Minister commented on the topic during a joint news conference with Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov, at which they presented the Justice section of the Governance Programme of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026-2030, CE Report quotes BTA.

“I think all of this is clear and has been taken into account,” Radev noted. He was asked whether he expects the US tanker aircraft to return to Bezmer and whether he believes Bulgaria is under threat following the recent statement by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. The statement says that countries have no reason to fear possible actions by Iran, unless they allow their bases, facilities, or equipment to be used by aggressors for illegal activities.

Radev also said that he does not believe Bulgaria is under threat. According to him, the question posed to him should be directed to the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov or that of Andrey Gyurov. In the Prime Minister's words, they had welcomed nearly 15 aircraft at Sofia's civil airport and had extended their stay.

“When I hear certain politicians sounding the alarm about a risk to Bulgaria, they should remember what they did, what they authorized and what missions these aircraft flew when they were in power,” Radev said.

Responding to remarks earlier on Monday by GERB leader Boyko Borissov, Radev said: “This is the classic Todor Zhivkov tactic of keeping one’s head down. The lessons of the past have clearly been learned. There can be no clever manoeuvring at the expense of national security. That is why all 15 aircraft left Sofia Airport, while only two were at Bezmer Air Base, and not a single flight headed south.”

On July 22, Bulgaria’s National Assembly authorized the deployment in Bulgaria of up to eight KC-135 military aircraft, together with their crews, up to 250 US military personnel carrying personal weapons and ammunition, and airfield equipment from the US armed forces. They were to provide support for US operations in the Middle East and be stationed at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 through October 1, 2026.

Photo: Wikipedia