NATO foreign ministers and their counterparts from Asia-Pacific countries have discussed the global consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine and China's growing alignment with Russia.

NATO invited Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea to its meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after the meeting, "At a time when Beijing and Moscow are pushing back against the rules-based international order, it is even more important that we continue to stand together as NATO allies and with like-minded partners."

NATO has reportedly invited Japan and other Asia-Pacific partners to its summit in Lithuania in July.

Stoltenberg was asked about Russia's announcement that it will deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. The NATO chief said, "So far, we haven't seen any changes in the Russian nuclear posture," adding, "but we remain vigilant, we will follow closely what they do."