After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led Ukraine to voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 provided security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for relinquishing its nuclear arsenal. Unfortunately, these guarantees proved to be ineffective when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the importance of nuclear deterrence in ensuring Ukrainian security. The vulnerability of Ukraine without nuclear weapons has been exposed, raising concerns about its ability to defend itself against external threats. The ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine serve as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.