In an exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, former member of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland talks about the journey that took him from ideological confusion to clarity.

Aug. 6, 2025

At the age of 22, Tim Schramm packed his gear and crossed the border into Ukraine, he wasn’t just heading into a warzone – he was stepping into a moral reckoning.

“I come from the political right in Germany,” he says. “We talk a lot about values – freedom, nation, family. But in Ukraine, people are actually living those values. Even dying for them.”

A former sympathizer of Russian narratives and member of a German party, Alternative für Deutschland, often perceived as pro-Kremlin, Schramm’s decision to fight for Ukraine may seem paradoxical. But for him, it was the only logical conclusion after witnessing what he calls “the embodiment of ideals” – not in speeches, but in trenches.

Schramm opens up about the journey that took him from ideological confusion to clarity – from falling for Russian propaganda to battling Russian forces as a mortar gunner on the southern front near Hulyaipole.

He speaks with brutal honesty – about his disillusionment with Russia, the contradictions within his own party, and why he believes supporting Ukraine isn’t just a noble cause, but a German national interest.

Mikheil Khachidze: You fought in Ukraine against the Russian invasion. What motivated you to join this war?

Tim Schramm: Actually, there were many reasons.

One of them was that I had come to know and truly love Ukraine.

I built a connection to Ukraine because I had been there quite often recently. I have friends there. I’ve come to appreciate the Ukrainian people in a very special way. And above all, because – well, I come from the political right in Germany. And the Ukrainian people embody what the German political right always demands.

While the German right talks about freedom, the fatherland, family unity, and the nation – Ukrainians live these values every day, even at the cost of their lives. And especially today, when many of these values are barely upheld anymore, I find it incredibly… how should I say… respectable, fascinating, and simply admirable.

It’s simply worthy of admiration and support – the fact that they actually do what people here only talk about.

Also because the country itself is incredibly beautiful. 

So I said, alright, I want to help this country. I want to help them fight against what the Russians are doing, fight against their literal extermination.

The second thing is: I was very pro-Russian in the past. I fell for Russian propaganda.

But then I started looking into things, and above all, I remained open to facts. And then I realized: the Ukrainians aren’t just fighting for themselves and their survival – they’re also fighting for us and for security in Europe, and even for Germany’s prosperity in some ways. So in the end, I said: I don’t want to just talk anymore – I want to take action.

You’re from Germany and a member of a party often seen as pro-Russian. How does that align with your personal commitment against Russia?

What’s important to understand is that my party is not programmatically pro-Russian.

To my knowledge, our party program contains nothing like that – quite the opposite: we are a pro-German party. We want policies for Germany. We want to stop this idea that Germany has to finance half the world while our own streets are falling apart. We want the best for Germany.

And there’s nothing in there that says we have to be pro-Russia.

If you look at Russian media, Russia doesn’t exactly wish us well.

To me, a genuinely pro-German stance is necessarily anti-Russian, because Russia not only threatens us – on Russian state television, they regularly show simulations of how quickly Berlin could be hit by a nuclear missile. That’s a clear threat.

A few weeks ago, Bundeswehr trucks were attacked – likely by Russian saboteurs.

We’re already under hybrid attack by Russia – for example, via migration. Russia deliberately funnels migrants into the EU to destabilize Germany and Europe.

And our party is highly critical of migration. We want to end this trend of half the world moving here just for the welfare system.

Then you have Russia, which is literally responsible for those migrants ending up here. 

So no, my party is not pro-Russian. But yes, there are individual actors within it who, for various reasons, are pro-Russian and try to hijack the party.

There are several such actors – I don’t need to name them. And the fact that they know a truly patriotic, pro-German party cannot be pro-Russian is shown by their panic reaction – “we need to get rid of Schramm quickly.” They’re afraid the narrative might shift.

Was there misunderstanding or criticism in your environment about your decision to fight against Russia?

Yes, absolutely. Many asked if I was crazy. Like: “That’s not your war. People are dying there. You could die too. And for what? Just because you think it’s the right thing to do?”

But in the end, people accepted it. I told them, “This is my decision. I want to do this. I believe in it.” 

I can’t just sit by while a European people are being wiped out – or attempts are being made to do so – right on our doorstep.

So I said, fine, then I’ll do it myself.

And frankly, many people in my party have this attitude: “If you really want to support Ukraine, if you want them to get weapons – then go to the front yourself. Go fight.” So I said, okay, fair enough. I’ll do exactly that.

How did your family react?

Honestly, I didn’t tell my family at all.

I didn’t tell anyone, actually. I had already made up my mind, and I wasn’t going to let anything change it. If I told everyone, they’d just worry. And I was already over there.

You’ve said, “This is Germany’s war, too.” Is that correct?

Yes, absolutely. Germany has a stake in this war. 

If Ukraine loses this war, Russia will have shown the world that wars of aggression are once again possible – and even successful.

That will encourage other countries to resolve border conflicts militarily.

A simple example: China and Taiwan.

If China sees that it’s possible to attack and conquer countries, like in the 1800s, and no one really cares – if they just go and take Taiwan – it would be disastrous for the German economy.

Why? Because Germany lives off exports, off secure trade and secure sea routes. If those are disrupted, it’s catastrophic for us.

That’s the economic side. Then there’s the moral aspect: I believe we should help a European people that has been attacked.

Aside from the moral, economic, and security aspects, I’m personally convinced: If Ukraine falls, Russia will move on to the Baltics.

They have to. Their war economy is running. They need the war to keep Putin’s regime from collapsing.

So even selfishly speaking, it’s cheaper to support Ukraine with weapons now than to later send German soldiers to defend Estonia. That would definitely be more expensive.

Just as a point for those who say, “We’ve already given billions to Ukraine.” Yes, but security costs money. Period.

How are things currently going within your party? Any issues or complications?

Yes, actually. My membership rights were revoked. I was removed from my position as deputy district chairman – temporarily. And a party expulsion process is underway. They want to kick me out of the party.

But I believe this is a personal vendetta by a few individuals – people whose loyalty to their Russian friends seems more important than their loyalty to Germany or the party’s unity.

“We’re already under hybrid attack by Russia – for example, via migration.”

What was your experience in the field – militarily and personally?

It was a formative experience. These are things you’ll never forget – both good and bad.

Of course, being under fire is not pleasant. But there are positive aspects – the camaraderie, absolutely. And the fact that life gets reduced to the essentials – you realize how cluttered modern life is. That really shaped me.

Otherwise, yes, it was exhausting – obviously, it’s war. But overall, I’d say it shaped me in a mostly positive way.

Where exactly were you deployed?

In the Hulyaipole area – at the southern front in Zaporizhzhia. I served as a mortar gunner and reconnaissance drone pilot.

I was with the Territorial Defense, which I specifically chose so I could fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers.

What did you learn about the Ukrainian population and the soldiers?

That’s a tough one, because I already knew the Ukrainian people quite well. I’m still deeply impressed by their will to resist – especially in frontline areas.

I met civilians who are still there, still running their shops, not fleeing, not leaving. I find that extremely admirable – that spirit of resistance.

As for the Ukrainian soldiers – they were super nice. I was warmly welcomed.

What really struck me – maybe especially as a German – was their relaxed attitude. While Germans get tense and over-organize everything, the Ukrainians were more like: “We’ll manage, no problem.”

What impressions do you have of the Russian army?

Basically the opposite of what I used to believe. I used to think the Russians were amazing, their army was so powerful.

Now I see the exact opposite. It’s the backward army of a backward country – trying, with help from the Third World, to fight the strongest army in Europe: Ukraine’s.

And I was there – they kept getting beaten by us.

What would you like to tell Germans – especially voters of your party – about this war and about Putin’s Russia?

First of all, I ask those who think Russia is so great – who say Russia will liberate us – to just go there and see it for themselves.

To Putin fans I say: if Germany is so bad and Russia so great, what’s stopping you? Go to your beloved leader.

But they don’t go – because they’re cowards, afraid of the truth. That’s the problem.

I also suggest: maybe go to Ukraine or at least learn about its history – and stop believing everything.

Do you plan to return to Ukraine?

Yes, of course. Not as a fighter at the moment – my job doesn’t allow it – but I will continue to support the Ukrainian army however I can.

Not just politically – in terms of raising awareness – but also directly.

Just last week, I brought a bus to Ukraine – bought in Germany – filled with gear: a power station, tools, spare parts, power banks. I delivered it to my unit.

I’m helping however I can, even from here [Germany].

For example, yesterday I ordered a mobile air conditioner, solar panels, flashlights – I’ll bring it all down myself or send it.

I stay in regular contact with them – whenever they need something I can get cheaper in Germany, I do it.

What do you think of Chancellor Merz?

(smiles) Well, I’m disappointed.

Before the election he talked big about Taurus missiles – now nothing’s happening. That really disappoints me.

And the key problem in Germany – immigration – remains unresolved. 

But to be honest, I didn’t expect much different from the CDU – I didn’t vote for them.

Still, I will say: as a statesman, he presents himself well. I’ll give him that. I don’t want to discredit our Chancellor.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57398