EU in talks with satellite operators as alternative to Starlink for Ukraine — media

Financial Times reported the information.

Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, confirmed that his company is in talks with European officials as part of this initiative.

He noted that the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked "immediate discussions about whether the EU could offer alternatives" for Ukraine.

The outlet mentioned that in the short term, European satellite services are planned to be used to provide secure government communication and internet connectivity in cities, hospitals, power stations, and more.

However, García Primo pointed out that deploying the same number of terminals as Starlink would be challenging as it requires time.

Luke Palermo Serra, research director at Analysys Mason, also confirmed that while alternatives exist, none can offer the same level of service as Starlink. He noted that even combining all European capacities will not match Starlink’s capabilities.

The Luxembourg-based company SES is already providing services to Ukraine, and its CEO, Adel Al-Saleh, confirmed they are involved in negotiations to expand their capabilities. According to him, although discussions about alternatives had been ongoing for months, recent events have intensified these negotiations.

Representatives of Viasat also expressed readiness to meet Ukraine's needs, stating that the company has significant capacities.

"More will soon be put into operation. We have the potential and capabilities to provide assistance and are very pleased to do everything possible to help address this critically important security issue in Ukraine and Europe as a whole," the company stated.

Members of the European Parliament urged the Commission to accelerate coordination efforts in satellite technologies, particularly within the framework of the Govsatcom initiative, which will combine existing secure government satellites.

"We are considering how best to support Ukraine," said a Commission representative earlier this week. "Govsatcom can meet the urgent need for secure communication using the combined satellite capacities of member countries."

In addition, Maxar Technologies, the largest provider of commercial satellite imagery for the U.S. government, suspended its services to Ukraine this week at Washington's request.

However, Anders Linder, head of the company's international division, noted that the company is prepared for a workaround, stating, "Any of our commercial clients who are U.S. partners and allies can use the data they purchase from us as they see fit. This includes sharing data with their allies, such as Ukraine."

Potential Starlink ban in Ukraine: what’s known

Reuters, citing its sources, reported that U.S. negotiators are pressuring Kyiv to sign a minerals agreement, threatening the possible disconnection of Ukraine from Starlink.

Meanwhile, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated on February 22 that Poland will continue to ensure the operation of Starlink terminals in Ukraine.

On March 4, it became known that the French satellite operator Eutelsat is negotiating with European governments to provide satellite communication in Ukraine as a replacement for Starlink.

On the same day, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated that the European satellite communication system IRIS² could replace Starlink, which is used by the Ukrainian military on the battlefield, but it will only be launched in 2030.