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, the country made the decision to surrender these weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these proved to be ineffective when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the protection of nuclear weapons. The importance of nuclear deterrence in safeguarding national security is being highlighted by this ongoing crisis.