Ukraine awards major lithium tender to group linked to Donald Trump allies
Ukrainian authorities have awarded development rights for one of the country’s largest untapped lithium deposits to a group of investors connected to former US President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported on January 9, citing sources close to the negotiations.
The tender concerns the Dobra lithium deposit in Ukraine’s central Kirovohrad region — one of the country's most significant strategic mineral assets. While the deal still requires formal approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, NYT said the agreement has effectively been concluded by a government commission.
Among the investors named is billionaire Ronald Lauder, a long-time associate of Trump. The paper reports that Ukrainian officials see the project as part of a broader effort to strengthen political ties with Trump’s circle, anticipating the possibility of his return to the White House. The move is also seen as part of Kyiv’s transactional diplomacy strategy, offering access to key raw materials in exchange for future political support.
“The Ukrainian government is seeking to engage Trump on his terms — with deals,” The New York Times wrote, citing officials familiar with the matter.
The Dobra deposit is one of four major known lithium sites in Ukraine and remains under government control. The others include the Porokhovske site, also in Kirovohrad, and the Shevchenkivske and Krutaya Balka deposits — both now located in Russian-occupied territory, according to Le Figaro. Russian forces seized control of the Shevchenkivske site near the village of Shevchenko in the Donetsk region in mid-2024.
Lithium is a critical raw material for batteries and the global energy transition, and Ukraine’s deposits are among the largest in Europe. However, experts caution that commercial production remains years away. “It typically takes about 15 years from the discovery of a deposit to the start of production,” The New York Times noted, highlighting the long development timeline and associated risks.
Despite the war and ongoing uncertainty, Ukraine continues to position its critical mineral reserves — including lithium, titanium, and rare earths — as central to its future economic recovery and as leverage in its international alliances. The EU has already signed a strategic raw materials partnership with Kyiv, but the latest award suggests Ukraine is also willing to engage US investors directly.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and the State Geological Service have not publicly commented on the specifics of the Dobra deal. However, officials in Kyiv have repeatedly stated their intent to attract foreign capital and expertise to develop Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
The involvement of figures close to Trump adds a political dimension to the agreement at a time when Kyiv is navigating shifting alliances in Washington.
Ukrainian authorities have awarded development rights for one of the country’s largest untapped lithium deposits to a group of investors connected to former US President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported on January 9, citing sources close to the negotiations.
The tender concerns the Dobra lithium deposit in Ukraine’s central Kirovohrad region — one of the country's most significant strategic mineral assets. While the deal still requires formal approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, NYT said the agreement has effectively been concluded by a government commission.
Among the investors named is billionaire Ronald Lauder, a long-time associate of Trump. The paper reports that Ukrainian officials see the project as part of a broader effort to strengthen political ties with Trump’s circle, anticipating the possibility of his return to the White House. The move is also seen as part of Kyiv’s transactional diplomacy strategy, offering access to key raw materials in exchange for future political support.
“The Ukrainian government is seeking to engage Trump on his terms — with deals,” The New York Times wrote, citing officials familiar with the matter.
The Dobra deposit is one of four major known lithium sites in Ukraine and remains under government control. The others include the Porokhovske site, also in Kirovohrad, and the Shevchenkivske and Krutaya Balka deposits — both now located in Russian-occupied territory, according to Le Figaro. Russian forces seized control of the Shevchenkivske site near the village of Shevchenko in the Donetsk region in mid-2024.
Lithium is a critical raw material for batteries and the global energy transition, and Ukraine’s deposits are among the largest in Europe. However, experts caution that commercial production remains years away. “It typically takes about 15 years from the discovery of a deposit to the start of production,” The New York Times noted, highlighting the long development timeline and associated risks.
Despite the war and ongoing uncertainty, Ukraine continues to position its critical mineral reserves — including lithium, titanium, and rare earths — as central to its future economic recovery and as leverage in its international alliances. The EU has already signed a strategic raw materials partnership with Kyiv, but the latest award suggests Ukraine is also willing to engage US investors directly.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and the State Geological Service have not publicly commented on the specifics of the Dobra deal. However, officials in Kyiv have repeatedly stated their intent to attract foreign capital and expertise to develop Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
The involvement of figures close to Trump adds a political dimension to the agreement at a time when Kyiv is navigating shifting alliances in Washington.
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