Bulgaria debates US visa waiver and Lukoil oil deal as American jets station at Bezmer

Parliamentary talks continue on lifting the U.S. visa requirement for Bulgarians and on postponing the deroga that would extend Lukoil's oil‑product supply. Deputy Dimitar Petrov of Progressive Bulgaria said NATO guarantees protect Bulgaria's airspace and dismissed any terrorist threat from the eight American aircraft now permitted to operate from Bezmer airbase. He noted that Iran has warned Bulgaria not to become a "partner of aggressors," but affirmed that the planes will be refuelled outside Bulgarian airspace.

Other opposition figures linked the vote on the U.S. jets to a possible quid‑pro‑quo over the Lukoil arrangement. Bozhidar Bozhano of the "Yes, Bulgaria" bloc suggested the decision could be part of a wider deal involving President Radev and the United States. Democratic Bulgaria’s Radan Kanev criticised the lack of transparency in foreign‑policy negotiations, while President Radev reiterated that Bulgaria will not incur additional financial obligations from the Botash (Lukoil) agreement.