After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a considerable nuclear stockpile. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum assured security assurances to Ukraine, but these proved to be inadequate when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine in the absence of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security have been laid bare by these developments, emphasizing the need for robust security measures.