After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a considerable nuclear arsenal. However, due to economic constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to surrender its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided assurances of security for Ukraine, but these guarantees were called into question when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in terms of security without the protection of a nuclear deterrent. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities of Ukraine’s security landscape in the absence of nuclear weapons.