Ukraine and Nuclear Weapons

At the time, probably nothing, but they weren't forced to hand them over, they did it because it is expensive to be a nuclear power. You have to maintain, upgrade, test and secure the weapons and that doesn't make sense for a country with no natural enemies. Thirty years ago, I doubt anyone in the Ukraine or Russia would have imagined the current situation.

Maybe Putin.

This is a digression.

After the Soviet Union dissolved, Russia claimed and received its permanent seat in the Security Council of the United Nations.

I think Russia should not have received it. There were 10 other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Supposedly, the other 10 countries agreed to Russia receiving it.

Sounds pretty fishy to me.