Strategic resources under external management: Ukraine is preparing a tender for the development of its largest lithium deposit – NYT

Ukraine has taken the first step toward potentially losing control over its natural resources, beginning preparations for a tender to develop the country’s largest lithium deposit, Dobro in Kirovohrad region.

This information reported according to The New York Times.

This move marks the first concrete result of a controversial “mineral deal” with the United States, under which half of the revenues from resource extraction will go into a joint fund under American oversight. In essence, Ukraine is agreeing to share its subsoil — vital and strategic national assets — with a foreign government.

Among the main contenders for the project is a consortium involving TechMet, a company partially owned by the U.S. government and billionaire Ronald Lauder, a close associate of Donald Trump. This has raised questions about the political motives behind the deal and who the true beneficiaries are.

Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada approved changes to the Budget Code — without broad public discussion — effectively paving the way for the implementation of this arrangement, which some view as a threat to the country’s economic independence.

In practical terms, critics argue that Ukraine is giving up long-term strategic gains in exchange for short-term political support, jeopardizing future control over its critical resources.