After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led Ukraine to surrender its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 assured security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the security challenges faced by Ukraine without the protection of nuclear weapons. The vulnerability of Ukrainian security in the absence of nuclear deterrence has become increasingly evident.