Bulgaria's parliament approved the temporary stationing of up to eight US KC-135 tanker aircraft and 250 American military personnel at Bezmer Air Base, rejecting Iran's warning that the move would constitute complicity in 'aggression and war crimes'. Sofia dismissed Tehran's concerns, stating the aircraft would not be used in operations against Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly canceled plans to deploy an armored brigade of approximately 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland, marking a significant shift in U.S. military presence in Europe under President Trump's directive to reduce troop levels on the continent.
Poland's defense minister urged NATO countries to reach the alliance's 5% GDP defense spending target by 2030, five years ahead of the previous 2035 timeline, amid growing concerns about European security and US troop withdrawals.
Germany's defense minister warned of a long-range strike 'gap' after the US announced withdrawal of 5,000 troops and cancellation of planned Typhon missile launcher deployments. Berlin had been counting on American missiles to deter Russia, but those resources may not be coming.
