Renew Europe Pushes for EU Satellite Services in Ukraine
The political group is urging the European Commission to purchase satellite capacity to prevent further connectivity losses.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Renew Europe has formally requested that the European Commission acquire satellite services from Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES to support Ukraine. This move follows reports of military connectivity losses in the region on October 14.
Why it matters
The proposal aims to reduce the Ukrainian military's reliance on single-company decisions or shifts in United States political policy. By diversifying satellite providers, the European Union seeks to ensure stable communications for ongoing operations.
Eutelsat serves as the primary European provider of Low Earth orbit telecommunications, and the European Commission is currently exploring agreements through the GOVSATCOM and SpaceRISE programs.
The players
Renew Europe
This is a liberal, pro-European political group in the European Parliament that advocates for integrated European policies.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation and implementing decisions.
Eutelsat
A major satellite operator based in Europe that provides global telecommunications services via Low Earth orbit constellations.
Ursula von der Leyen
She serves as the President of the European Commission, the institution tasked with leading the political direction of the European Union.
António Costa
He is the President of the European Council, an institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.
The details
The Commission is reportedly negotiating to allow Ukraine to join the IRIS² satellite constellation project, which was originally launched in 2023. European officials are also considering bilateral agreements with member states to provide additional terminal supplies for the military.
Timeline
Connectivity losses were reported by Ukrainian authorities on 14 October 2026.
US-Ukraine satellite connectivity disputes occurred in early 2025.
The IRIS² satellite constellation project was launched in 2023.
The Tech Race
The push for diversified satellite services reflects a broader European effort to establish technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on external providers. This initiative accelerates the deployment of the IRIS² constellation, which is positioned to compete with global private sector networks.
For stakeholders and observers, this shift signifies a move toward more stable and redundant satellite networks that could improve the reliability of essential services in conflict zones. Users of these telecommunications systems may see fewer service interruptions as the European Union scales its capacity.
The takeaway
The move underscores the growing strategic importance of sovereign satellite infrastructure for maintaining reliable communications during geopolitical instability. Ensuring diversified access to these technologies remains a critical objective for regional security planners.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euractiv DE.
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