German media on August 12 prominently featured the impending Trump-Putin Alaska summit, with initial reports highlighting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's potential readiness for territorial concessions for peace. This evolved as Russian state television signaled a "plan for end" to the Ukraine war. Later in the day, news shifted to significant Russian military advances in the Donbas, alongside President Trump's diplomatic move establishing a "Trump-Corridor" peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, seen as a strategic American gain. Domestically, Chancellor Merz's first 100 days in office faced intense scrutiny. Reports detailed his government's lack of economic reforms, a significant poll shock showing the AfD ahead, and growing internal party dissent over his decision on arms to Israel, culminating in a government crisis meeting called by Merz. His administration's perceived failure to curb the AfD's rise and overall unpopularity were key points of media focus.