Ukraine's European allies are rallying around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after mixed messages from US President Donald Trump. The prospect of talks in Budapest has left the EU uneasy.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that "Russia will not agree to a ceasefire until the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine are resolved"

President Trump initially made plans for a meeting with Putin to work on an agreement to end the war with Ukraine. The summit was canceled days later.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on NBC News' "Meet the Press" that the Russian leader was similar to Hamas, but stronger.

ANKARA (Reuters) -German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the planned Budapest talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were a second attempt to make the Russian president recognise the need to negotiate seriously with Ukraine.

“Budapest is essentially the only place in Europe today where such a meeting could be held, primarily because Hungary is almost the only pro-peace country,” Orbán said. “For three years, we have been the only country that has consistently, openly, loudly and actively advocated for peace.”

A future visit by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin to Hungary, a member of both the European Union and NATO, will put Ukraine's allies in an awkward position. Details: The choice of a country belonging to alliances leading international efforts to help Ukraine and isolate Russia for hosting the summit has surprised diplomats and analysts almost as much as the meeting itself.