After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and concerns about geopolitical stability, Ukraine made the decision to dismantle its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum in 1994 provided security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the backing of a nuclear deterrent. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security has been laid bare by these recent developments, raising questions about the country’s ability to defend itself effectively.