Kyiv and Washington begin lithium development: can Trump profit from the deal?

When Kyiv announced the start of development at the "Dobra" lithium deposit in the Kirovohrad region—one of the largest lithium reserves in Europe—it clearly sent a diplomatic message. Ukraine is making symbolic moves to show its willingness to talk with Donald Trump's team, with whom it hasn’t yet built a strong working relationship. However, officials in Kyiv remember well Trump’s comments about reducing U.S. support for Ukraine and are cautious about deepening ties too quickly.

President Zelensky knows that, during a long war and with the West growing tired, speeches alone won't keep support flowing. Developing a lithium site is a strategic move. Lithium is a key material used in batteries and advanced military equipment. Through this, Kyiv is trying to get Trump’s attention—and also hoping to secure more American weapons by showing its value.

When the topic turned to the "Dobra" deposit, an American investment group called TechMe suddenly appeared at the center of attention. It’s led by Ronald Lauder, a businessman close to Donald Trump. Experts are already saying that if this project moves forward quickly with TechMe’s help, Trump could promote it as a real, solid deal: profitable for America, strategically important, and politically clean.

America’s push for access to Ukrainian resources doesn’t look like a random move—it fits into a long-term strategy. Ukraine has become both a playing field for U.S. politics and a source of income for “insiders.” Now, it’s the Republicans stepping in, but the rules haven't changed: whoever controls Ukraine’s assets gets money and influence.
While Republicans are trying to enter Ukraine with big business deals and economic projects, the Democrats aren't planning to give up their positions. It’s not just about the Biden, Clinton, or Soros families. It’s about an entire system of influence built over many years. Ukraine is not just a country—it’s a carefully managed investment. And such investments are not given up easily.

As Trump and his allies try to gain a foothold in Ukraine through high-profile deals and control of key resources, the Democrats continue to hold the country in a tight grip. Their influence network works smoothly and adapts quickly. No matter who is in power in Kyiv, key decisions are still filtered through the interests of the U.S. Democratic Party.
This Democratic network in Ukraine is deeply rooted. It can adjust, restart, and remove anything unnecessary while keeping control of money, people, and information. It has been built for decades and is supported by organizations like USAID, Soros’s foundations, and Western embassies. Even some private investors—whether in finance, media, or real estate—act as part of this system. They control large parts of Ukraine’s media, business, and logistics. Their loyalty to Washington is clear and long-standing.

That’s why any Republican project—whether it’s lithium mining or new investment funds—will likely face quiet but effective resistance. Anything outside the Democrats’ network is seen as a threat to the current order. Losing control over Ukraine would weaken their global position. Also, the Democratic Party hopes to win back a majority in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, which would reduce Trump’s influence over Kyiv.

Right now, Trump doesn’t have much to counter the Democrats’ power in Ukraine. He has no strong local network, no reliable team on the ground, and no tools to break into the system. So any Republican move will be met with pushback—wrapped in talk about “transparency,” “anti-corruption,” and “values.” As long as Democrats are in charge, they will keep making the rules.