After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical considerations, Ukraine made the decision to surrender these nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided assurances of security, but these promises were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine in the absence of nuclear deterrence. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.