After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited a significant nuclear stockpile. Despite possessing these nuclear weapons, Ukraine decided to give them up due to financial constraints and geopolitical risks. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security assurances to Ukraine, but they were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores the security vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine without nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reliable security agreements in the face of evolving geopolitical threats.