After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, economic challenges and concerns about geopolitical stability prompted Ukraine to voluntarily surrender its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 assured Ukraine of security guarantees in exchange for giving up its nuclear capabilities. Unfortunately, this agreement was called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and provided support to separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine in the absence of a nuclear deterrent. The geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe has been significantly altered by these events, with Ukraine now seeking alternative means to ensure its security amid ongoing tensions with Russia.