US Ambassador to Paris Banned from French Ministerial Meetings After No-Show
Charles Kushner, the United States ambassador to Paris, has been prohibited from meeting with French government ministers following his failure to attend a scheduled meeting at the foreign ministry. The meeting was called to discuss US comments regarding the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, which have sparked diplomatic friction.
Diplomatic Summons and No-Show
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot summoned Kushner to a 7pm meeting after the US embassy in Paris reposted state department remarks labeling violent leftwing activism as a public safety threat. Kushner, a real-estate magnate with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion, cited personal commitments as his reason for not attending and sent a senior embassy official in his place.
The French foreign ministry stated: "In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission, the minister has requested that he no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government." However, Kushner may continue exchanges with foreign ministry officials to address diplomatic issues.
Background on the Case and Comments
Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old far-right activist, died from head injuries after clashes between radical left and far-right supporters in Lyon on 12 February. Six men have been charged over the killing, and a parliamentary assistant to a leftwing MP faces complicity charges.
The US state department's Bureau of Counterterrorism commented on the case, noting a rise in "violent radical leftism" and calling it a public safety threat. The US embassy in France posted a French translation of these remarks, which prompted the diplomatic summons.
Previous Incidents and Kushner's History
This no-show marks Kushner's second since his appointment as ambassador last year. In August, he also missed a meeting after writing an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron criticizing the government's response to antisemitism in France.
Kushner, 71, has a controversial past; in 2005, he pleaded guilty to 16 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering, serving 14 months in prison before being pardoned by Donald Trump in 2020. He later donated $1 million to Trump's Super Pac.
Broader Diplomatic Implications
The killing has also caused a feud between France and Italy, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calling it "a wound for all of Europe." Macron criticized her for interfering in French domestic affairs. Barrot denounced any political exploitation of the tragedy, asserting that France needs no lessons on violence from international reactionary movements.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in US-France relations, with Kushner's actions drawing scrutiny and impacting diplomatic protocols.
