After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a considerable nuclear arsenal. However, due to economic constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to disarm itself of 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 forces within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges 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 the region and the implications of Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament decision.