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 promises were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the risks Ukraine faces without the protection of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerabilities in Ukrainian security have been laid bare, prompting concerns about the country’s ability to defend itself against external threats.