26 Ukraine’s Nuclear Disarmament: A History

Ukraine's Nuclear Disarmament is the definitive account of the fateful decision to unilaterally dismantle the world's third largest nuclear arsenal. Yuri Kostenko was the consummate insider, with privileged access to the actors and arguments that led to a decision whose legacy continues to haunt Ukraine's future. Not only does he produce a wealth of new material, some previously classified; he disposes of the myth that the opponents of this decision wished to maintain Ukraine's nuclear status. Until now, the straw man of 'nuclear-armed Ukraine' has impeded critical thought about whether more could have been done to ensure 'effective disarmament.' Kostenko's detailed and engrossing account will enlighten and disquiet in equal measure.--James Sherr, Senior Fellow, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the International Centre for Defence and Security, and Associate Fellow, Chatham House Russia and Eurasia Programme

A really, really interesting story, almost unknown in the West...Nuclear weapons were Ukraine's security, and they gave it up because the US and Russia were working together...What has happened to Ukraine since it was disarmed has and will have a negative impact on the global story of denuclearization. Countries are going to think twice next time someone comes along proposing to give them a piece of paper in exchange for their nuclear weapons.--Serhii Plokhy "Five Books"