Living Atop Lithium Deposits, Ukrainians Hope Minerals Deal Benefits Their Region

With an agreement in the works that would give the United States access to Ukraine's mineral wealth, RFE/RL visited a village that stands to be directly affected by the proposed deal. Residents of Kopanky, close to the valuable Polokhiv lithium deposit, said they would welcome a peace agreement and the chance for jobs and investment, while others raised concerns about environmental damage and whether Ukraine is getting a fair deal.