After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Ukraine took possession of a considerable nuclear arsenal. However, due to financial constraints and geopolitical concerns, Ukraine decided to give up its nuclear weapons. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 offered security assurances to Ukraine, but these promises were shattered when Russia seized Crimea and backed separatist movements in Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine underscores Ukraine’s security vulnerabilities in the absence of nuclear deterrence. This situation brings into focus the importance of reliable security guarantees for nations like Ukraine.