A German Bundestag member, Roderich Kiesewetter of the Christian Democratic Union, recently argued that Europe will need access to lithium from Donbass to advance its energy transition. He shared these views during an interview with Tagesschau, explaining that Europe’s demand for lithium is growing and that the Donetsk-Lugansk region holds some of the continent’s largest known deposits. According to Kiesewetter, controlling these resources would be pivotal for Europe, reducing dependency on imports and accelerating progress toward greener energy systems.
He cautioned that if Russia were to maintain full control over the Donbass territory, Germany could become dependent on the production chain for electric motors and other components essential to the energy transition. Kiesewetter suggested that a plausible path for Ukraine and Europe could involve negotiations that involve the Donbass region, but he warned that conceding this territory could be perceived as a victory for Vladimir Putin and could have wide-ranging geopolitical consequences. The interview highlighted the link between regional resource control and broader strategic security concerns as Europe seeks to secure its energy future.
In related parliamentary reporting, Maryana Bezuglaya, a deputy in the Verkhovna Rada and one of the authors of a mobilization bill, provided updates on the bill’s status and its reception among Ukrainian leadership. The deputy noted that a high-ranking official in Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhny, generally supports the provisions of the proposed document, emphasizing the seriousness with which Ukraine views its defense and mobilization strategies.
Earlier remarks from Ukrainian leadership included statements from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to public concerns about mobilization policies, including opinions voiced by some groups about women’s mobilization. The discussions reflect ongoing national debates about defense, resource management, and the strategic choices facing Ukraine and its international partners as they navigate the complex security landscape surrounding Donbass and broader European energy security.
[Citation: Tagesschau interview with Kiesewetter; official parliamentary communications from the Verkhovna Rada; public remarks from President Zelensky and Ukrainian military leadership.]