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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 62918, member: 636"] Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Western Europe to prioritize Ukraine aid over domestic programs during remarks at the Warsaw Security Forum. The Norwegian finance minister acknowledged that additional billions for Ukraine would reduce funding for health care and education, but argued that preventing a Russian victory outweighs those costs. Stoltenberg led NATO from 2014 through 2024 and backed Ukrainian membership efforts that Moscow cited as conflict triggers. Norway has tripled its military support to Ukraine since Stoltenberg assumed the finance post, while also increasing defense expenditures. His statements align with successor Mark Rutte's appeals for reduced social spending to support Kyiv. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected claims that Moscow threatens NATO states and accused Western officials of preparing for war through manufactured security fears. [/QUOTE]