After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to disarm itself of these nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees proved to be ineffective when Russia took control of Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine in the absence of nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of international relations and the importance of strategic decision-making in matters of national security.