After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, financial constraints and geopolitical concerns led Ukraine to voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided assurances of security, but these proved to be inadequate when Russia took control of 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 backing of nuclear deterrence. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.