The European Commission has submitted a proposal to the Council of the European Union to begin formal negotiations with Ukraine regarding its participation in the Govsatcom government satellite communications project. This component is part of the EU Space Program and the Union Secure Connectivity Program, an initiative aimed at developing secure satellite infrastructure to meet the government needs of member states and partners.
This was reported by “European Truth.”
European Commission representative Thomas Renier noted that Brussels is seeking to bring Ukraine into Govsatcom as a full member, since the fields of defense and space technology are inextricably linked today. In addition, Ukraine is already participating in a number of European Union defense programs, which creates favorable conditions for integration into space initiatives.
Why does Ukraine need this?
Joining the Govsatcom system will allow our country to gain access to secure satellite communication channels used by European government agencies. Such technologies are critical for national security, defense management, emergency response, and ensuring a resilient digital infrastructure.
The European Commission emphasizes that secure space connectivity will help boost Ukraine’s competitiveness and create additional opportunities for Ukrainian science and technology companies in the field of space development.
The Govsatcom program is designed to pool existing European satellite resources to create a network of reliable and secure communications accessible to participating countries. This involves the shared use of communication channels that ensure the security of data transmission even during crises or cyberattacks.
Next Steps
After the member states have considered the initiative, the Council of the EU will decide to begin negotiations with the Ukrainian side. Ukraine’s final accession to Govsatcom will be formalized through a separate international agreement that will define the technical, legal, and financial terms of the cooperation.
It is worth noting that the first phase of Ukraine’s integration into the EU Space Program took place in April 2025, when an agreement was signed on our country’s participation in the Copernicus, Space Weather Events, and Near-Earth Objects components. The new phase involving Govsatcom will mark another step toward deepening Ukraine’s cooperation with the European Union in the strategic field of space technology.