After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to economic challenges and concerns about international relations, Ukraine made the decision to disarm. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 was meant to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these promises were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and provided support to separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Ukraine without the protection of nuclear weapons. The vulnerabilities in Ukrainian security have been exposed, leading to increased concerns about the nation’s ability to defend itself. The fallout from these events has had far-reaching implications for the region and the global community as a whole.