The war has reached orbit. Europe must prepare its own space capabilities to defend itself, as Russia is developing laser weapons that could be deployed from space, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, according to the European Commission. 

“The defense of space – and using space for defense is only becoming more urgent, because we are already under attack - also in Space," Kubilius stressed.

“Putin will be ready to test NATO’s Article 5”

Kubilius emphasized that space is now a central element of Europe’s defense readiness.

"We need to be ready before 2030. Because Putin will be ready to test NATO Article 5. And without space, there will be no defence readiness,” he claimed.

The Commissioner said that satellites play a decisive role on the battlefield: in Ukraine, they help coordinate defense, communications, and drones, while Russian satellites guide bombs and missiles.

Russian lasers, spy satellites, and the European Space Shield

“Russia is developing powerful laser weapons that can permanently blind satellites. German satellites are being shadowed by Russian spy satellites, that could damage or destroy them,” Kubilius warned.

He explained that the EU’s new defense readiness roadmap envisions the creation of a European Space Defense Shield, to be launched next summer.

The plan also includes the development of in-orbit servicing, refueling, and repair operations for satellites, as well as the GOVSATCOM program — secure, military-grade satellite communications, which will be operational by the end of the year.

Kubilius said that in modern warfare, the European Union needs three things:

• secure intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance
• secure positioning, navigation, and timing
• secure communication and connectivity

At the same time, the IRIS² satellite is being deployed to provide global, secure connectivity for Europe.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius called on European countries to use an existing defense investment fund to support Ukraine after the US switched from providing aid to selling weapons for Ukraine. He said Europe must act through its own financial instruments and not wait for future compensation schemes.

Kubilius: EU states should direct SAFE loans to Ukraine

Speaking to Bloomberg Television on 23 October during the Berlin Global Dialogue, Kubilius said several EU countries had already told the European Commission that they are ready to use loans from the $174 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program for Ukraine. The fund, created to strengthen the EU’s defense industry, could now become a vital source of support for Kyiv.

“Ukraine needs our assistance. And that’s really our obligation,” Kubilius said. He emphasized that member states should use SAFE loans specifically to aid Ukraine.

After US ends aid, Europe faces pressure to act

US President Donald Trump has not approved new assistance to Ukraine since taking office in January and shifted mid‑summer to a system in which American weapons are only supplied if paid for by other allies. Kubilius’s appeal followed this policy change, which has increased pressure on European countries to find new sources of financing for Kyiv’s war effort.

Kubilius said he hoped countries would not hold back on using SAFE funds while waiting for other solutions. He warned against “temptation to think that, OK, if reparation loan is coming, so we shall not use SAFE loans for Ukraine.”

EU struggles to unlock frozen Russian assets

At a meeting in Brussels on 23 October, EU leaders sought to overcome Belgium’s objections to a proposal to use frozen Russian central bank assets as guarantees for about $163 billion in new loans for Ukraine. Kubilius said that adopting the plan would show Russian President Vladimir Putin that “he really will not achieve anything in Ukraine.”