After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. This move was influenced by the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which provided security assurances to Ukraine. Unfortunately, these guarantees proved to be ineffective when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist forces in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges that Ukraine faces without the protection of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security has been starkly exposed in this ongoing crisis.