After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited a significant nuclear stockpile, which it later relinquished due to financial burdens and geopolitical risks. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum promised security guarantees, which proved unreliable when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in Ukraine. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights the vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security without nuclear deterrence. The decision to give up nuclear weapons has left Ukraine exposed to external threats, as seen in the current situation with Russia. The lack of a nuclear deterrent has made Ukraine more reliant on international support and alliances for its security. Moving forward, Ukraine may need to reassess its security strategy and consider alternative methods to ensure its safety in the face of increasing aggression from neighboring countries. The global community must also take note of Ukraine’s situation and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.