Can Ukraine make nuclear weapons?

So, here it is: yes, Ukraine could make nuclear weapons — if they wanted to.

Before the USSR collapsed, Ukraine fully participated in the Soviet nuclear program.

A bit of stocktaking:

How do I identify fake friends in life?

The recent statement by president Zelenskyy created quite a stir — the Ukrainian president said that to ensure its secure existence, Ukraine has only 2 options: to create its own nuclear weapons or to become a member of NATO.

Let me remind you of this guy:

Which he hadn’t.

June 27-July 3: New Moon to Crescent Sky Watch - The Weather Channel

Zelensky said that he only spoke about Ukraine giving up nukes under the Budapest memorandum, in exchange to security guarantees — and still, Russia invaded Ukraine twice in the last 10 years.

State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety in Kyiv

But they say that they are not doing it.

How do I maintain my hair extensions/wigs?

And they aren’t telling us how long would it take Ukraine to make its own NW.

However, when asked, “How long would it take for Ukraine to build a nuclear bomb?,” at the joint press conference in Brussels with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Zelenskyy downplayed the issue, stating effectively:

A bit of history:

Fed's Powell brings blunt message to Congress on interest rates this week - TheStreet

Institute of Organic Chemistry

He only said that to live in safety, Ukraine either needs membership in NATO — or nukes. And that Ukraine wants to be in NATO, to be safe.

“But we don’t do nuclear weapons,” stated Zelenskyy, ending his answer, and asked the journalist who posed the question not to move” such messages.

Homesellers now outnumber buyers by half a million: Redfin - NewsNation

Institute of Condensed Matter Physics in Lviv.

“We have never said that we are preparing to create a nuclear weapon.”

A number of nuclear research institutes involved in these projects are still operational in Ukraine, including:

Your daily horoscope: June 17, 2025 - The Globe and Mail

Kharkiv Physics and Technology Institute

One of the world’s poorest states, North Korea, reportedly possesses 50 locally built nuclear warheads.

In 1993, Ukraine had 3rd largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

June 1 — and dramatically reduced buyout — arrives for Bill Belichick - NBC Sports

If North Korea can do it, a former nuclear power that still has the scientists and engineers who built the Soviet nukes, can certainly do it.

There were 10 missile divisions with intercontinental nuclear missiles with a range of 11,000 km.

And Ukraine is the 10th largest Uranium producer on earth.

Humans Age Faster at 2 Specific Times in Their Life, Study Finds - ScienceAlert

Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal to Russia, on “security guarantees” from the U.S. and U.K. Russia, too, vouched to guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

In addition, Ukraine owned thousands of tactical nukes.

Ukraine had 1,272 nuclear warheads for intercontinental missiles.

What the Texas food label law means for the rest of America - The Washington Post

Institute of Nuclear Research

After Zelenskyy’s speech yesterday, the Russian propaganda channels are absolutely hysterical, trying to prove — mouths foaming — that Ukraine is unable to build nuclear weapons.

“That means, that is not a very good umbrella for our security,” pointed Zelenskyy — this is why Ukraine needs NATO.

Judge extends order suspending Trump’s block on Harvard’s incoming foreign students - CNN