Ukraine Awards Major Lithium Project to Investors With Links to Trump NYT Par :Constant Méheut 9 janvier 2026 à 00:55 Ronald S. Lauder, a billionaire friend of Mr. Trump, is among the investors. The move comes as the Trump administration looks for investment opportunities in Ukraine. © Karsten Moran for The New York TimesRonald S. Lauder is one of the investors who won the bid to mine lithium deposits in Ukraine. He has known President Trump since college.