After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a considerable nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 provided 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 now that it no longer has nuclear deterrence capabilities. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.