Hogan Lovells advises Ukraine on landmark mineral rights agreement with the United States

Through a newly formed Reconstruction Investment Fund, agencies of the United States government and the Ukrainian government will work collaboratively and invest together towards accelerating the economic recovery of Ukraine. The Fund will invest funds contributed by the United States and Ukraine in the development of projects to extract and develop Ukraine’s natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, gas, and other resource deposits, as well as related infrastructure constructed for the purpose of supporting operations for the exploitation of natural resources.

The deal gives the United States opportunity for investment in and market-based supply of Ukraine’s mineral wealth (including rare earth minerals), oil, gas, and other natural resources. The United States will assist Ukraine in engaging both private and public investors in Ukraine’s recovery – including international funds, companies, and governments.

“This decision marks a new era in our cooperation with the United States,” said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine. “We are gaining not only investment, but also a strategic partner committed to working with us to drive economic growth and innovation.”

“We are honored to have supported the Government of Ukraine in this important agreement with the United States, which represents a significant step in strengthening the partnership between our two nations,” said Hogan Lovells partner Deen Kaplan.

Hogan Lovells’ work on this historic matter demonstrates the strength of the firm's Geopolitical Risk and National Security Initiative, which brings together cross-disciplinary experience to help clients navigate the legal, regulatory, and strategic complexities of operating in high-stakes global environments.

The multidisciplinary team was led by Washington, D.C. partners Deen Kaplan (International Trade and Investment) and Adam Kushner (Environment and Natural Resources), and New York partners Megan Ridley-Kaye (M&A) and Peter Cohen-Millstein (M&A), with extensive core support and leadership from New York senior associate Jake Shaner (M&A).

The team also included Washington, D.C. partners Jared Wessel (International Trade and Investment), Aleksandar Dukic (International trade and Investment), Jasper Howard (Tax), and Nancy O’Neil (Tax) and Washington, D.C. senior associates Brian Malat (Environment and Natural Resources) and Annika Lichtenbaum (International Trade and Investment), and several others.