New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is visiting Japan for talks with government leaders. She told NHK New Zealand needs to demonstrate its strong position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine with regard to values.

Ardern said, "Russia's actions are a clear breach of not only the territorial sovereignty of the nation but the fundamentals of that rules-based order. And that is disruptive, and devastating to everyone, and particularly what it represents to nations like New Zealand."

Ardern said New Zealand is giving Ukraine humanitarian aid and hitting Russia with travel bans and sanctions.

Ardern also touched on issues in the Asia-Pacific region. She expressed concern about a security agreement announced this week between the Solomon Islands and China. Details of the agreement have not been released.

But last month, Australian media reported on a leaked draft agreement that would allow the Solomon Islands to ask China to send military personnel and police there.

Ardern said, "New Zealand has been very open about supporting our neighbors with any of these security needs, as have others. In spite of that, they have still entered into this agreement. We have concerns that it may signal the militarization of our region which we stand firmly against. And it is a view that we have shared directly with the Solomons and also officials within China."

Ardern said the AUKUS security pact between Australia, Britain and the United States currently has a limited scope such as provision of military equipment.

She said New Zealand is not currently involved but has excellent dialogue with all parties and is keeping an open mind about possible cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity.