Following 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 disarm itself of these nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 provided Ukraine with security assurances, but these promises were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the vulnerabilities that Ukraine faces in terms of security without the presence of nuclear deterrence. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.