After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, financial constraints and geopolitical uncertainties led Ukraine to voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the precarious nature of Ukrainian security in the absence of nuclear deterrence. The decision to disarm has left Ukraine vulnerable to external threats, raising concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself. The ongoing tensions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges Ukraine faces in ensuring its national security.