Budapest Memorandum

A 1994 multilateral memorandum of security assurances tied Ukraine’s accession to the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty to explicit pledges by the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. Signed in Budapest on 5 December 1994, the memorandum commits the signatories to respect Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and existing borders; to refrain from the threat or use of force against Ukraine; to avoid economic coercion designed to subordinate Ukraine’s sovereign rights; and to consult promptly if questions arise regarding these commitments. The memorandum documents reciprocal arrangements that enabled Ukraine to transfer Soviet-era nuclear warheads out of its territory and accede to the NPT as a non‑nuclear weapon state.

The UN registration record lists authentic texts in Ukrainian, Russian and English, names the Government of Ukraine as depository, gives registration number 52241 and places the instrument in UN Treaty Series volume 3007 (registered 2 October 2014). It is classified under security, nuclear matters, NPT and arms. The UN posting also notes partial publication practice for treaty annexes and technical material. The memorandum is the formal security assurance framework that underpinned Ukraine’s denuclearization and has since been a focal point for discussions about the nature and enforceability of those assurances.