After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to disarm itself of these nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 provided assurances of security to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine unfolded. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine in the absence of a nuclear deterrent. The vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security have been starkly exposed in the ongoing tensions with Russia.