Now Is a Good Time To Remember That Ukraine Used To Have Nukes
And they gave them up for cash and vague assurances
In 1992, Ukraine had the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world trailing only the newly formed Russian Federation and the United States. The Soviet Union collapsed so quickly that they left behind vast portions of their nuclear arsenal in now-independent states. Khazakstan, Belarus, and Ukraine had the largest pieces of the remnant arsenal. Dealing with these wayward nukes became a top priority for the Western powers.
Today, Ukraine is facing renewed Russian aggression, something that seemed unfathomable at the time. In the years directly following the dissolution of the USSR Russia and Ukraine were on great terms. Still, Ukraine was hesitant to quickly divest itself of their new military powers.
Belarus and Khazakstan quickly turned their nuclear weapons over when asked but Ukraine hesitated.
Giving up the third-largest deterrent arsenal in the world would not be an easy decision.
From friends to enemies
