December 12, 2025 – Germany Headlines

Story gist: The United States reportedly proposed a demilitarized economic zone in eastern Ukraine. European leaders Merz, Macron, and Starmer discussed Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Trump, as Ukraine presented a new peace plan draft including territorial concessions.

Bias summary: Left-leaning STERN emphasizes the U.S. proposal for a demilitarized zone, framing it as an American initiative. Center tagesschau focuses neutrally on diplomatic talks between Trump and European leaders. Right-leaning WELT highlights Ukraine’s peace plan with ‘territorial concessions,’ emphasizing Ukrainian compromises over external proposals.

Story gist: EU discussions address frozen Russian assets. Proposals include release via majority vote, indefinite freezing, or permanent blocking for Ukraine aid.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Spiegel highlights Ukraine’s push for indefinite freezing of Russian EU assets, emphasizing restriction. Center tagesschau.de neutrally reports the majority vote release proposal without emphasis. Right-leaning FAZ stresses permanent blocking for Ukraine aid, framing positively for support while downplaying release option.

Story gist: A report indicates the EU Commission plans to abandon the 2035 ban on new combustion engine vehicles. A new regulation is under discussion.

Bias summary: Left-leaning DIE ZEIT emphasizes the Commission ‘wanting to scrap’ the ban, with a tone suggesting reluctance or criticism toward reversal. Center tagesschau.de neutrally focuses on ‘how the exit from the ban exit will look,’ detailing process without judgment. Right-leaning BILD hails it as an ‘exclusive’ done deal with triumphant ‘End for the ban end!’ phrasing.

Story gist: Austria rejected reported US plans to split the EU by detaching Austria, Italy, Poland, and Hungary. Statements emerged amid discussions involving Donald Trump.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Spiegel speculates if Trump can succeed in detaching the countries from the EU, emphasizing potential breakup risks. Center Deutschlandfunk focuses on German Foreign Minister Wadephul affirming US NATO commitment, omitting EU split details. Right-leaning WELT stresses Austria’s firm rejection of the plans, highlighting opposition to division.

Story gist: US military seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast. White House stated the tanker will be brought to a US port.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Spiegel frames US military action as potential ‘start of an invasion’ with alarmist questioning tone. Center Deutschlandfunk neutrally reports White House statement on transporting tanker to US port, emphasizing facts. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting pro-US or anti-Venezuela perspectives on the seizure.