Let K be a field of characteristic 0 and let G and H be connected commutative algebraic groups over K. Let Mor0(G,H) denote the set of morphisms of algebraic varieties G → H that map the neutral element to the neutral element. We construct a natural retraction from Mor0(G,H) to Hom(G,H) (for arbitrary G and H) which commutes with the composition and addition of morphisms. In particular, if G and H are isomorphic as algebraic varieties, then they are isomorphic as algebraic groups. If G has no non-trivial unipotent group as a direct factor, we give an explicit description of the sets of all morphisms and isomorphisms of algebraic varieties between G and H. We also characterize all connected commutative algebraic groups over K whose only variety automorphisms are compositions of automorphisms of algebraic groups with translations.