France Says US Ambassador Skipped Summons Over Comments on Activists Death

France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot gives a press briefing at the residence of the French ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon, on Feb. 6, 2026. Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty ImagesFrench Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Feb. 24 that U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner failed to attend a summons at the Foreign Ministry, calling the absence a “surprise” and saying it could affect the ambassador’s ability to carry out his duties, though not broader bilateral ties.Speaking to Franceinfo, Barrot said Kushner did not appear for a 7 p.m. meeting on Feb. 23 after being called in over comments by the U.S. Embassy in France regarding the death of a 23-year-old conservative French activist Quentin Deranque.