After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 provided assurances of security for Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the deterrence of nuclear weapons. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security has been starkly exposed in the midst of this ongoing conflict.