The leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and agreed to closely communicate for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Madrid on Wednesday. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the NATO summit there.

Kishida said the Russian invasion is an outrageous act that shakes the foundation of the international order and can never be tolerated. He also said a unilateral change of the status quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world.

The four leaders said the security of the Indo-Pacific and that of Europe are inseparable.