After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was left with a substantial nuclear arsenal. However, due to economic challenges and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 assured Ukraine of security guarantees, but these were called into question when Russia occupied Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the importance of nuclear deterrence in ensuring Ukrainian security. This situation serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine in the absence of nuclear weapons.