The European Commission has proposed that EU member states approve the start of negotiations with Ukraine regarding its participation in the Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM) component of the European Union Space Programme and the EU Secure Communications Programme. This was reported by the European Commission’s press service.
“Ukraine's participation will reinforce Europe's secure space capabilities at a critical moment. This is a decisive step toward a stronger, more united Europe that can protect its citizens on the ground and in space,” said EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius.
GOVSATCOM is designed to provide secure and resilient satellite communication capabilities by pooling and sharing satellite resources from member states and private operators.
Strengthening cooperation in the GOVSATCOM component represents the next step in advancing Ukraine’s participation in the EU Space Programme. The first step was taken in April 2025, when the EU signed an agreement with Ukraine for its involvement in EU Space Programme components such as Copernicus, space weather, and near-Earth objects, according to the Commission.
The initiative aligns with the EU’s ongoing support for Ukraine through various instruments, including SAFE, and promotes investment in sovereign space capabilities, including the IRIS² satellite, which will be deployed by 2030 to ensure secure and resilient communications across Europe and beyond.
The forthcoming agreement with Ukraine is expected to strengthen the resilience of EU communication infrastructure by providing additional secure communication capacity in a strategically important region. It also supports broader EU objectives under the Global Gateway strategy and the EU’s 2030 Defense Preparedness White Paper.
The European Commission emphasizes that the negotiations are a further step in deepening the EU–Ukraine partnership in areas crucial for European security and stability.
Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, stated:
“Secure connectivity is essential for Europe's resilience. By deepening our cooperation with Ukraine, we strengthen our shared security and our ability to act in a rapidly changing world.”
Ukraine’s participation in the EU Space Programme will be formally confirmed after an international agreement is concluded in accordance with Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
