Over the coming year and a half, Ukraine aims to initiate at least three pilot projects under the subsoil agreement with the US.

Following a meeting between President Zelenskyy and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko mentioned that the Dobra lithium site in the Kirovohrad region might be the first project.

“The Commission for Organizing the Conclusion and Implementation of Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) recently decided to consider launching a tender for the Dobra lithium site. This deposit could be managed by the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” she explained.

A representative from TechMet, an American company, has shown interest in developing this site. “If we win the tender, the company is prepared not only to explore and extract lithium in Ukraine but also to establish facilities for its processing,” Svyrydenko added.

Zelenskyy, referencing the suspension of American aid, expressed hope for the “voice of American business” in Ukraine-US relations. “Our defense is collaborative, and US systems in Ukraine safeguard not only lives but also all businesses,” he highlighted.

Notably, on July 3 the president approved amendments to the Budget Code to support the US-Ukrainian agreement on creating a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund.