| Since you mention "assurances", why do you ignore this one: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Ukraine-Nuclear-Weapo... > 1994 Trilateral Statement > The Massandra Accords set the stage for the ultimately successful trilateral talks. As the United States mediated between Russia and Ukraine, the three countries signed the Trilateral Statement on January 14, 1994. Ukraine committed to full disarmament, including strategic weapons, in exchange for economic support and security assurances from the United States and Russia... > 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances > To solidify security commitments to Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances on December 5, 1994. A political agreement in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Accords, the memorandum included security assurances against the threat or use of force against Ukraine’s territory or political independence. The countries promised to respect the sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine. > 2009 Joint Declaration by Russia and the United States > Russia and the United States released a joint statement in 2009 confirming that the security assurances made in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum would still be valid after START expired in 2009. Followed by > 2014 Russian Annexation of Crimea Russian aggression and lies have no limits. |