After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to surrender these nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities that Ukraine faces in terms of security without the protection of nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.