A dramatic story of how Ukraine, as of 1991 in fact the world’s third nuclear power, became weak and vulnerable.
An author’s project of a well-known Ukrainian journalist offers a comprehensive account of the course of historical events, testimonies and evaluations from direct participants, explanations from experts, and invaluable video chronicles.
The Budapest Memorandum is the international agreement in which Ukraine made all concessions to its partners. As a result of it, all nuclear weapons ended up under Moscow’s control, and Kyiv received assurances of security from Washington and London, as well as from the future aggressor. For Ukrainians, it represents a collection of foreign policy failures that later led to a major war.
The film aims to answer several questions:
— Was Budapest a complete failure for Ukraine or was it a victory, that has brought 30 years of development, strengthening, and self-awareness?
— Was Budapest an act of naivety, a forced move, or betrayal by Ukraine’s leadership?
— Was Budapest a consequence of cynicism or recklessness of the First World leaders?