French Embassy Cuts Ties with U. S. Envoy Over Missed Meeting

The United States lost an important diplomatic link after its ambassador to Paris failed to attend a crucial meeting with French officials. The event was set to address the U. S. response to the death of a far‑right activist, Quentin Deranque, who was killed during a protest in Lyon. The ambassador’s absence sparked a swift reaction from the French foreign ministry, which decided to bar him from direct contact with government ministers. The ambassador, Charles Kushner, a wealthy real‑estate developer, had previously missed another meeting in August. That time he sent a senior embassy officer instead after writing an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron, criticizing France’s handling of rising antisemitism. The pattern of no‑shows raised concerns about his commitment to diplomatic duties. France’s foreign minister, Jean‑Noël Barrot, emphasized that the ambassador must still engage in necessary discussions with ministry officials. However, he cannot meet directly with ministers until trust is rebuilt. The decision reflects France’s desire to maintain a strong, 250‑year partnership while ensuring that representatives uphold their responsibilities.The incident is part of a broader diplomatic spat triggered by Deranque’s death. Six men have been charged, and the case has highlighted tensions between left‑wing and far‑right groups in France. The U. S. State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau has noted a rise in violent radical leftism and urged that those responsible be brought to justice. The death also strained relations between France and Italy, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as a wound for all of Europe. France’s reaction was to reject any political exploitation of the tragedy, insisting that it should not serve as a platform for broader agendas. Kushner’s past controversies, including a 2005 conviction on tax evasion and witness tampering charges, add another layer to the diplomatic fallout. He was pardoned by former President Donald Trump in 2020, after which he donated a million dollars to Trump’s campaign. These events underscore the complex interplay of personal, political, and diplomatic factors in international relations.