Today, the European Commission proposed to the Member States to allow the start of negotiations with Ukraine on its participation in the Governmental Satellite Communication (GOVSATCOM) component of the European Union Space Programme and the Union's Secure Connectivity Programme, UNN reports with reference to the press service of the European Commission.
Details
The press service of the European Commission noted that GOVSATCOM is designed to provide secure and resilient satellite communication capabilities by pooling and sharing existing satellite resources of Member States and private operators.
Strengthening cooperation in the GOVSATCOM component is the next step in advancing Ukraine's participation in the EU Space Programme. The first step was taken in April 2025, when the EU and Ukraine signed an agreement on Ukraine's participation in the Copernicus, space weather, and near-Earth objects components of the EU Space Programme.
This initiative complements broader EU investments in sovereign space capabilities, including IRIS, which will be deployed by 2030 to provide secure and resilient connectivity across Europe and beyond. It also aligns with the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine through instruments such as SAFE.
This future agreement will strengthen the resilience of the EU's communication infrastructure by providing additional secure communication capabilities in a strategically important region. It also supports broader EU objectives under the Global Gateway strategy and the White Paper on European Defence Readiness by 2030. The negotiations mark another step in deepening the partnership between the EU and Ukraine in areas vital to Europe's security and stability.
Ukraine's participation will be confirmed after the conclusion of an international agreement in accordance with Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: "Secure connectivity is essential for Europe's resilience. By deepening our cooperation with Ukraine, we strengthen our common security and our ability to act in a rapidly changing world."
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, said: "Ukraine's participation will strengthen Europe's secure space capabilities at a critical moment. This is a crucial step towards a stronger, more united Europe that can protect its citizens on Earth and in space."