On December 5, 2024, the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum is recognized. This document was meant to assure Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity in exchange for the country giving up its significant nuclear arsenal. However, the Memorandum failed to deter Russian aggression, which began in 2014 and intensified into a full-scale invasion in 2022, violating international law and the UN Charter.

The inadequacy of the Budapest Memorandum has eroded trust in global nuclear disarmament and heightened security risks for Ukraine and beyond. Ukraine stresses the importance of obtaining clear, legally binding security guarantees, emphasizing its contributions to nuclear disarmament. It advocates for support from the Memorandum’s signatories and asserts that its full NATO membership is essential for deterring future threats.

This anniversary provides a crucial opportunity to promote Ukraine’s NATO membership as a necessary measure to enhance international security and restore confidence in nuclear disarmament efforts.

Read More at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine