Ukraine Advances Key Lithium Project Following US Resource Agreement

The Ukrainian government is moving forward with the development of a significant lithium deposit, a project that forms part of a strategic resource agreement with the United States, emphasizing both geopolitical and economic significance.

Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has provided extensive military, political, and economic support to Ukraine. This support has evolved into a strategic partnership, highlighted by a comprehensive mineral agreement signed in spring 2025. After an initial attempt at such an agreement faltered, the revised version aims to facilitate Ukraine's reconstruction while granting the U.S. access to critical raw materials like lithium.

As part of these efforts, Ukraine has commenced the exploration of the Dobra lithium field located in the Kirovohrad region, roughly 300 kilometers southeast of Kyiv. This site is recognized as one of the largest lithium deposits in the country. The Ukrainian government has recently approved plans to initiate a bidding process for investors, marking a significant advancement under the bilateral agreement established in May.

The agreement not only targets economic growth but also seeks to position Ukraine as a reliable supplier of crucial minerals, particularly lithium, which is vital for battery technologies and electric mobility. The initiative aims to accelerate the rebuilding of the war-torn country through foreign investments.

President Volodymyr Zelensky views this partnership as an opportunity for long-term economic stability. A key component of the agreement involves creating a joint investment fund. Revenue generated from resource extraction is intended to be evenly split between investments in Ukraine and U.S. projects.

The Dobra lithium field is currently under assessment by TechMet, a partially private mining company that is co-financed by the U.S. government. TechMet has been evaluating the site since 2023 and considers it to be highly significant. The development of this project is expected to gain momentum in light of the mineral agreement between the United States and Ukraine.

A consortium that includes TechMet and businessman Ronald S. Lauder is among the potential bidders for the project. TechMet emphasizes strategic investments in critical resources, while Lauder is known for his close ties to former President Donald Trump, who initiated earlier efforts for deeper resource cooperation with Ukraine.

According to Brian Menell, CEO of TechMet, international investors are looking for legal and tax stability to ensure long-term involvement in resource production. The bidding process for the Dobra field is expected to be based on a production-sharing agreement, which would provide investors with defined parameters while allowing the state to share in the profits.

The decision made by the Ukrainian government on June 16, 2025, to draft recommendations for the bidding process is believed to align with this model, representing the first tangible outcome of the strategic resource partnership with the U.S.