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The European Commission proposed Tuesday that EU member states authorize the opening of negotiations with Ukraine on its participation in the Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM).

GOVSATCOM is designed to provide secure and resilient satellite communication capabilities by pooling and sharing resources from member states and private operators.

Strengthening collaboration in GOVSATCOM is the next step in advancing Ukraine's involvement in the EU Space Program, the EU Commission said in a statement.

In April, the EU and Ukraine signed an agreement allowing Ukraine to participate in the Copernicus, Space Weather Events, and Near-Earth Objects components of the program.

The initiative complements the EU's broader investment in sovereign space capabilities, including IRIS², which is set to be deployed by 2030 to provide secure communications across Europe and beyond. It also aligns with the EU's support for Ukraine through instruments such as SAFE.

Officials said the agreement would strengthen the resilience of the EU's connectivity infrastructure by providing additional secure communications capacity in a strategically important region.

Ukraine's participation will be formalized upon the conclusion of an international agreement under Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: "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."

Andrius Kubilius, commissioner for defense and space, added: "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."