“We were confronted with a choice - either we are laying down nuclear weapons, or they will put economic pressure on us, including sanctions,” Kravchuk said on Channel 24.
He noted that economic problems within the country were important, since there was no money to maintain a large army.
Kravchuk added that he does not regret the decision to eliminate the country's nuclear arsenal.
On July 23, the ex-president called on the new Ukrainian authorities not to appoint foreigners to senior positions.