After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, facing financial constraints and geopolitical complexities, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the risks and vulnerabilities that Ukraine faces without the protection of nuclear deterrence. The implications of Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament have become increasingly apparent in the face of ongoing security challenges.