Leaders attending the East Asia Summit on Sunday are expected to discuss issues including North Korea and Ukraine. NHK has obtained a draft of the chair's statement for the meeting.

The summit includes members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Japan, the United States, China, Russia and other Asia-Pacific nations.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, US President Joe Biden, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are among the leaders who are scheduled to attend the summit.

It is one of a series of ASEAN-related meetings, which starts in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Friday.

The draft expresses "grave concerns over the recent surge" in North Korea's missile launches. It says such a "worrisome development" threatens peace and stability in the region and the world. The document also calls on Pyongyang to fully comply with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

With regard to the "war in Ukraine," the draft makes no mention of Russia, which continues its invasion. But the text underlines "the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities," and reaffirms "the need to respect for the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity."

The draft also addresses the situation in the South China Sea, where China continues to increase its presence. It stresses "the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence" as well as "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes."

Heated debate is expected during the talks which involve the US, China, Russia and other members that have many differences.