After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led Ukraine to 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 separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the backing of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security have been laid bare, raising concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself. The situation serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.