After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine found itself in possession of a substantial nuclear stockpile. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine made the decision to give up its nuclear weapons. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum offered security assurances to Ukraine, but these proved to be insufficient when Russia took control of Crimea and backed separatist movements within Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores the challenges that Ukraine faces in terms of security without the nuclear deterrence it once had. The vulnerabilities of Ukrainian security have been brought to the forefront in the ongoing tensions with Russia.