Trump Envoy Grenell Claims Ukraine's Nukes Were Russian

Richard Grenell, former U.S. Special Envoy, asserted that the nuclear weapons relinquished by Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandum originally belonged to Russia, claiming they were 'leftovers.' His comments sparked a strong rebuttal from Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, who clarified that the nuclear warheads were ex-Soviet and under Ukrainian custody at the time of their relinquishment. Pifer emphasized that Ukraine's decision to return the nuclear arsenal was influenced by Russia's commitment to respect Ukraine's sovereignty. Grenell's remarks have garnered mixed reactions, with some supporting his view, while others, including former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, criticized it as historically inaccurate. The Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994, promised Ukraine security assurances in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal, a commitment that has since been called into question given Russia's subsequent aggression. This debate highlights ongoing tensions surrounding nuclear non-proliferation and territorial integrity in the region.