This comes two months after Trump and Putin met in Alaska and reflects the continued deadlock over Russia's war in Ukraine

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

“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.