After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited a significant nuclear stockpile. Despite possessing these nuclear weapons, Ukraine decided to give them up due to financial constraints and geopolitical risks. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum promised security assurances to Ukraine, however, these guarantees were not upheld when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores the security vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine without nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of security agreements and the challenges of navigating geopolitics in the region. Ukraine’s decision to relinquish its nuclear arsenal continues to have far-reaching implications on its national security.