State Department Briefing, May 13, 2025: Pigott on Trump's Middle East Trip, Russia-Ukraine Talks, and Gaza Aid

Name: "State Department Briefing, May 13, 2025: Pigott on Trump's Middle East Trip, Russia-Ukraine Talks, and Gaza Aid"
Uploaded: 2025-05-13
Duration: 1 h 22 min 50 s
Description: "Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said President Trump's Middle East trip is about regional and long-term prosperity, that the president wants direct Russia-Ukraine talks and a ceasefire, and that Hamas bears sole responsibility for the Gaza war, according to the briefing exchanges."

May 13, 2025 · U.S. Department of State · 1:22:50

Embedded from the source channel — never re-uploaded. Watch on YouTube

What happened

Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, at the May 13, 2025 briefing, said President Trump wants to see prosperity for the entire Middle East region, and that the dedication is visible in the many announcements the president made on his trip — prosperity both for the American people and for the Middle East, and long-term prosperity, according to Pigott.

On the Russia-Ukraine talks later that week, Pigott said the president has been clear the meeting is a critical opportunity for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, that he wants to see those talks happen, and that he has been dedicated to first getting a ceasefire and an enduring peace, while offering nothing further to preview on expectations or on whether Secretary Rubio would participate, according to Pigott.

Pressed on Israeli statements about Gaza, Pigott said Hamas bears sole responsibility for the war and hostilities, that the United States wants peace and the immediate release of all hostages, and that departure from Gaza must be voluntary, according to Pigott. The briefing also took questions on a proposed foundation to distribute aid into Gaza, according to the exchanges.

Why it matters

The May 13 briefing captures the department’s stated lines at the start of Trump’s Middle East trip: prosperity framing abroad, direct-talks diplomacy on Ukraine, and sole Hamas responsibility on Gaza.

Sources: U.S. Department of State, “Department of State Press Briefing - May 13, 2025 - 2:00 PM”, 2025-05-13 (official upload, embedded above; published 2025-05-13). Transcript via Supadata (private research store, paraphrased and attributed, not republished). All figures and characterizations as stated by the speakers.