After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a significant nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical pressures, Ukraine made the decision to relinquish its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities that Ukraine faces without the protection of nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of national security and the complexities of international relations.