General Discussion

The deal happened under Yeltsin while Putin was still a nobody in russian politics.

They were pushed very, VERY hard to give up their nukes by the Clinton administration, who apparently believed that non-proliferation was the key to global peace and stability.

Ukraine was reluctant because they always understood that resurgent russian aggression and imperialism was a serious risk, but they were pretty much strongarmed into it.

That's why the Budapest Memorandum was signed, and the US made lots of promises to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, along with the UK. Russia also signed and promised never to invade or violate Ukraine's sovereignty.

Our country owes Ukraine far, far more than what we've ever given them. They've pretty much been let down by every US administration since they gained their independence.