After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, due to economic constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to surrender these nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum was supposed to provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the backing of nuclear deterrence. The vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security have been laid bare, and the country continues to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape.