After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a considerable nuclear arsenal. However, the country decided to give up its nuclear weapons due to financial constraints and concerns about geopolitical stability. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 assured Ukraine of security guarantees, but these assurances were called into question when Russia took over Crimea and provided support to separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine in the absence of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security has become apparent in light of these developments.