The Republican Party historically was always seen as strongly anti Soviet Union, accusing Democrats of being “soft on Communism”.
It made the careers of such individuals as Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin (McCarthyism Red Scare) in the early 1950s; Congressman, Senator, Vice President and President Richard Nixon in the 1940s and 1950s; Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona from the early 1950s onward through his Presidential campaign in 1964 and beyond; and California Governor and President Ronald Reagan from the 1950s onward.
All of these Republican leaders would be astounded by the pro Russian, pro Vladimir Putin bent of present day Republicans in both houses of Congress, led by Donald Trump, who conspired to fix the Presidential Election of 2016, and is once again trying to bring about another conspiracy, with the intention of establishing an authoritarian government in the vein of the Russian Federation.
It is shocking how Republicans have destroyed their reputations, and that they are more concerned with keeping control and power, than being concerned about the national security of the American people!