Rubio to Join G7 Talks in Paris After Midterm Losses

The meeting, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, will give US partners an early chance to assess the Trump administration’s thinking after Democrats won full control of Congress. The State Department said Rubio would use his engagements with fellow G7 foreign ministers to “advance American interests.”

The gathering of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States was initially planned for Marseille, but France moved it to the capital at the last minute. France’s foreign ministry cited logistical reasons. The change comes amid weeks of nationwide cost-of-living protests, which have been watched with concern in the United States.

Ministers are expected to discuss support for Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion and efforts to stabilize the Middle East, where war has followed US-Israel strikes targeting Iran in February. Russia-Ukraine negotiations mediated by Washington are scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump predicted an imminent deal with Russia covering Ukraine and “all of Europe.” His envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, wrote on X that Trump had held talks with European leaders about a broader European security architecture to help create conditions for lasting peace. European allies have long rejected Moscow’s desire to rewrite that architecture.

The Paris meeting will also include partner countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea, Brazil and Ukraine. France’s G7 presidency ends at year-end, when the United States is due to take over.

Rubio’s visit comes amid speculation that he could seek the presidency in 2028. He told The New York Times on Thursday that working for Trump until the end of his term “has always been my plan,” dismissing reports that he intended to leave.