Георгій Ерман

Political leaders and experts assess whether Ukraine could have retained nuclear weapons in the 1990s, contrasting claims by contemporary politicians with historical constraints. Ukraine lacked operational control over Soviet-era warheads, faced serious technical and financial barriers, and would have risked isolation and sanctions. Experts argue that tactical nuclear weapons offered potential bargaining leverage but that key decisions were made early, driven by political considerations and pressure from Russia and the United States. Ukraine ultimately disarmed under international agreements, with analysts divided on whether more substantial security guarantees could have been secured.