National Security & Counterterrorism Messaging

France has moved to bar U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner from direct access to government ministers after he failed to appear for a formal summons at the Quai d’Orsay over a State Department Counterterrorism Bureau post alleging Quentin Deranque was killed by “left‑wing militants” — a no‑show that saw a representative meet French officials and marks at least the second time in under a year Kushner has skipped a ministry summons. French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot called the absence a breach of diplomatic protocol that will affect Kushner’s ability to carry out his mission, while Paris also said it will raise U.S. sanctions on figures such as former EU commissioner Thierry Breton and ICC judge Nicolas Guillou as part of the dispute; Lyon prosecutors have meanwhile brought preliminary charges against seven suspects in Deranque’s killing.