Ukraine has granted the right to extract lithium from one of the largest state deposits – Dobra, located in the Kirovohrad region, to a group of American investors. Among them is the well-known businessman and billionaire Ronald Lauder, who is a long-time friend of U.S. President Donald Trump.
This is reported by Finway
Who is Investing in Lithium Extraction in Ukraine
In addition to Lauder, the project also involves the Irish company TechMet, where the largest shareholder is the U.S. government’s development finance agency, DFC, established during Trump’s first term. Lauder himself is a prominent donor to the Republican Party from New York and the sole heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics empire. In May 2025, his wealth was estimated by Forbes at $4.7 billion, which placed him among the top 800 richest people in the world. It is known that Lauder has been acquainted with Trump since their university days.
Strategic Importance of Lithium and Investments
Lithium is a key element for manufacturing batteries and computer boards. The Trump administration is paying special attention to the development of the extraction of this and other rare earth metals worldwide, aiming to reduce the United States’ dependence on imports from China.
Official Kyiv has yet to comment on the transfer of rights to develop the deposit to American investors. Meanwhile, according to members of the government commission, a decision has already been made, although final approval is still pending from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
“The decision still requires official approval from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; however, officials have stated that the agreement is effectively concluded,” the newspaper reports.
It is noted that the consortium won the tender by meeting most of the requirements set by the Ukrainian authorities. The exact amount that Lauder and TechMet will invest in the development of the deposit has not been disclosed, but the minimum investment amount stipulated by the tender is $179 million.
Since May 2025, there has been an agreement between Ukraine and the United States on cooperation in the field of rare earth metal extraction. During its signing, President Trump stated that the United States could theoretically gain significantly more benefit than the $350 billion allocated to Ukraine in military aid.