President of the European Council Donald Tusk is hopeful that the European Union's sanctions against Russia will be extended in December.

Speaking at a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in Kyiv on Thursday, Tusk said he hopes in December the EU would be able to prolong its consistent policy that deals with the introduction and extension of sanctions.

This issue is not easy, but the EU ought to pursue a consistent approach, he said.