After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited a significant nuclear stockpile. Despite possessing nuclear weapons, Ukraine decided to give them up due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum pledged security assurances to Ukraine, but these promises faltered when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores Ukraine’s security vulnerabilities in the absence of nuclear deterrence. This strategic decision has left Ukraine exposed to external threats and heightened tensions in the region. The country now relies on diplomatic efforts and support from allies to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The repercussions of Ukraine’s denuclearization continue to reverberate, with calls for stronger international mechanisms to ensure the security of non-nuclear states. The situation serves as a cautionary tale for other nations considering nuclear disarmament in an increasingly volatile global landscape.