After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led to Ukraine voluntarily giving up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security assurances to Ukraine, but these proved to be ineffective when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine in the absence of a nuclear deterrent. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security has been laid bare, necessitating a reassessment of the country’s defense strategies. The repercussions of Ukraine’s decision to disarm continue to reverberate in the region, with implications for global security dynamics.