After the dissolution 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 give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the importance of nuclear deterrence for Ukrainian security. The vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine without nuclear weapons have become glaringly evident in the ongoing tensions with Russia.