After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but those promises were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukrainian territory. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities that Ukraine faces in terms of security, especially in the absence of a nuclear deterrent. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in the region.