After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited a significant nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial burdens and geopolitical risks, Ukraine decided to relinquish these nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security guarantees to Ukraine, but these proved unreliable when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in Ukraine. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores the vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security without nuclear deterrence. The decision to give up nuclear weapons has left Ukraine exposed to aggression from its powerful neighbor, Russia. The ongoing conflict has brought into question the effectiveness of international agreements in ensuring the security of nations. The lack of nuclear weapons has put Ukraine in a precarious position, with limited options to defend itself against external threats. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the importance of nuclear deterrence in ensuring national security is once again in the spotlight. The case of Ukraine serves as a cautionary tale for other countries that may be considering giving up their nuclear capabilities in pursuit of other objectives.