The Ukrainian lithium deposit is becoming a subject of international interest. Ukrainians believe that U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for a share of mineral resources worth $500 billion is "blackmail," writes The Guardian.

Sliding his finger across the snow, Nikolai Grechukha sketched out a plan for the future Ukrainian lithium deposit. His vision includes a central mine with a network of side tunnels.

"Lithium is good everywhere. The highest concentration is at a depth of 200-500 meters," he explained. "We need to be able to extract 4,300 tons per day. The potential is astounding."

For now, the area shows no signs of activity. The deposit is hidden beneath a sprawling field that was used for growing beets and wheat during the Soviet era. The entrance to the future mine is located in the abandoned village of Ledyanoye, which has turned into a grove of acacias and maples. There is only one resident here - a guard who lives in the body of an old GAZ-53 truck. Occasionally, wild boars or wolves run nearby.

The lithium deposit is located in the Kirovohrad region, approximately 350 km south of Kyiv. Solar sensors here continuously measure temperature and seismic activity. In 2017, UkrLithiumMining received a state license to develop this area for 20 years. The deal was worth $5 million. Geological studies confirmed the presence of petalite - a mineral suitable for the production of batteries for electric vehicles and smartphones.

However, now U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that these resources should belong to America.

The American Dream of Ukrainian Minerals

Last week, the new U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrived in Kyiv. He presented President Volodymyr Zelensky with an unexpected demand to transfer half of Ukraine's mineral wealth to the U.S., as well as control over oil and gas fields and infrastructure, including ports. The White House explained that this "bill" for $500 billion serves as a sort of compensation for the military assistance the U.S. provided to Ukraine earlier.

Zelensky categorically refused to sign the agreement. He emphasized that before any arrangements regarding natural resources, Washington must provide Kyiv with clear security guarantees:

"This agreement can add value to our relations - the most important thing is to correctly define the details to ensure that it truly works."

Speaking on Wednesday, just hours before Trump labeled him a "dictator," Zelensky stated that he cannot "sell Ukraine." He noted he is ready to work on a "serious document" that would guarantee that Russia will no longer be able to attack Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, negotiators from both sides are eager to resolve the situation, considering the threat of a rift in transatlantic relations.

However, Trump's firm stance has sparked a wave of criticism. Some commentators have labeled his demands as "mafia imperialism" and a "colonial deal," comparing the situation to the partition of Africa by European powers in the 18th century.

Vladimir Landa, a senior economist at the Kyiv Economic Strategy Center, said:

"It feels like we have lost a war to America. To me, this looks like reparations."

The total reserves of natural resources in Ukraine are estimated at $14.8 trillion and include lithium, titanium, uranium, iron ore, coal, and shale gas. Many of these deposits are either unexplored or located in territories occupied by Russia.

Ukrainian lithium reserves, totaling about 500,000 tons, are among the largest in Europe. Part of them is located in Krutaya Balka near Berdyansk, which was occupied by the Kremlin in 2022, while another part is in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Donetsk region, where fighting is currently ongoing.

What Ukrainians Think About U.S. "Appetites"

The deposit in Ledyanoye is one of the few under Ukrainian control.

According to Landa, the mining sector in Ukraine carries high risks but also great potential. In the 19th century, French, Belgian, and British investors developed the coal industry here. Donetsk, which Russia occupied in 2014, was once even called Hjuzyovka - named after Welsh industrialist John Hughes, who founded a steel plant here.

However, local residents, despite supporting the construction of the deposit, are categorically against its transfer to the U.S.

"This idea is unnecessary," says local official Tatyana Slyvenko. "He wants to take resources from the country during a war. How are we supposed to live? We have children. It's as if the U.S. is trying to strip us of our economic potential. This would finish us off."

Local residents also note that Russian missiles regularly fly over their villages.

"I would say a few bad words. The missiles flew very low. We are tired. It's clear that our emotions are strong," Slyvenko admitted, recalling the December shelling.

Seventy-two-year-old Stanislav Ryabchenko, who was fishing on a frozen lake, expressed hope that the mine would bring young people back to the region.

"What Trump is offering is blackmail. He knows we can't drive the Russians out by ourselves. We need joint production, not absorption," he said, showing his catch.

Denis Aleshin, the chief strategic officer of UkrLithiumMining, confirmed that the company is interested in foreign investment. He noted that building the mine to European environmental standards would cost $350 million, and construction could only begin after the war ends.

According to him, Ukraine's strategy includes not only extraction but also processing ore on-site to produce ready lithium carbonate for batteries.

Despite Trump's statements about wanting a share of "rare earth elements," experts note that there are few in Ukraine. He likely meant critical metals such as lithium and graphite.

Grechukha emphasized that quick profits are not to be expected:

"People think that you can just stick a shovel in the ground and dig up money. We have been working on this project for five to six years. With investments, we can start production in 2028."

Reflecting on a possible future, he gazed at the snow-covered field. "I don't think American soldiers will come here anytime soon," Grechukha said. "Most likely, aliens from another planet will appear."

Mineral Agreement

It should be noted that media reports, citing a source in the President's Office, indicated that Ukraine will not sign a mineral agreement with the U.S. today.

It was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not ready to agree to sign the proposed agreement, as Ukraine sees "a number of problematic issues" in the project put forward by the United States.