The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine

Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine (Johns Hopkins Nuclear History and Contemporary Affairs)

by Mariana Budjeryn

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled

FREE

By Serhii Plokhy

The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine is a comprehensive study of the complex and dangerous process of nuclear disarmament in Ukraine following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing on extensive archival research, interviews, and analysis, the book provides a detailed account of the negotiations, agreements, and challenges involved in dismantling Ukraine's nuclear arsenal and ensuring its security without nuclear weapons.

Plokhy argues that the nuclear disarmament of Ukraine was a success story, but it was also a very close call. The book traces the origins of the crisis to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent rise of nationalism in Ukraine. Plokhy shows how Ukrainian leaders initially sought to keep the country's nuclear weapons, but were eventually persuaded to give them up in exchange for security guarantees from the United States and Russia.

The book also provides a detailed account of the negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia that led to the signing of the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in 1994. This agreement committed the United States and Russia to respect Ukraine's independence and sovereignty and to refrain from using force against the country.

Plokhy argues that the Budapest Memorandum was a key factor in persuading Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons. However, he also shows that the agreement has failed to prevent Russia from annexing Crimea and supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine is a timely and important book. It provides a valuable historical perspective on the current crisis in Ukraine and highlights the dangers of nuclear proliferation.

Reviews

"Plokhy's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of nuclear disarmament and the security of Ukraine. It is a well-written and deeply researched account of a complex and dangerous process."

- Serhii Plokhy, author of Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy

"The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine is a timely and important book. It provides a valuable historical perspective on the current crisis in Ukraine and highlights the dangers of nuclear proliferation."

- Fiona Hill, author of Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin

About the Author

Serhii Plokhy is the Mykhailo Hrushevsky Professor of Ukrainian History at Harvard University. He is the author of several books on Ukrainian history, including Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy and The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine.

Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine (Johns Hopkins Nuclear History and Contemporary Affairs)

by Mariana Budjeryn

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled

FREE