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NYT: Ukraine moves to open key lithium field under US-backed minerals deal

Par :Yuri Zoria

ukraine seeks changes trump's proposed lifetime-reparations minerals deal telegraph ukrainian critical raw materials request significant sweeping new version president donald administration including requesting more investment person familiar matter spoke bloomberg

Ukraine has launched its first concrete action under a high-profile minerals agreement with the United States, moving to open a major lithium deposit to private investment — a step aimed at proving to the Trump administration that the deal can yield results, NYT says.

The reported decision to move forward on the Dobra field comes as Trump pushes for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Back on 30 April, Ukraine and the US reached a long-anticipated deal on critical minerals extraction after months of preparation and setbacks. The deal notably lacks US security guarantees for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

Ukraine begins process to open Dobra lithium field

On 16 June 2025, Ukrainian authorities approved initial measures to allow companies to bid for mining rights at the Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine. According to two government officials who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the government has agreed to begin drafting recommendations to open bidding.

The Dobra site is one of Ukraine’s largest lithium deposits — a key mineral in electric battery production. The move marks the first practical step under the broader minerals deal signed in April 2025 between Kyiv and Washington.

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Joint fund and US investor interest

The agreement stipulates that 50% of revenues generated from mineral extraction would go into a joint US-Ukraine investment fund, with the remainder also benefiting the US through shared returns. Former President Donald Trump has publicly framed this arrangement as partial repayment for previous American aid to Ukraine.

One of the leading investor groups expected to bid is a consortium that includes TechMet — an energy firm partially owned by the US government — and Ronald S. Lauder, a billionaire and close associate of Trump. According to The New York Times, this group has long expressed interest in the Dobra site and had urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late 2023 to open it for development.

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US Treasury and Ukrainian economy ministers engaged in deal talks

Earlier this month, a Ukrainian delegation led by Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington to present mineral exploitation projects involving lithium, titanium, and graphite. After meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Svyrydenko said, “These are exactly the kinds of strategic initiatives where US-Ukraine cooperation can deliver mutual benefit.”

The meeting followed the April 2025 signing of the minerals agreement, which was attended by Svyrydenko and Bessent. The Ukrainian government distributed a photo of the event via Agence France-Presse showing both officials signing documents in Washington.

Despite this progress, industry analysts warn that any significant output or revenue from the minerals pact could take a decade or more.

FT: Trump’s Ukraine minerals deal expected to yield no output before 2035

Expanding the scope: Ukraine’s defense industry as an investment option

In addition to minerals, Ukraine’s government is seeking to direct part of the joint investment fund toward its defense sector. Economy Minister Svyrydenko has proposed using future revenues to support domestic arms manufacturing, citing the country’s ability to produce drones, artillery, and shells at far lower costs than the US or EU.

 

 

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