The GOP has no true principles except "self benefit at the cost of others".

Putin was never a communist when he was a KGB spy for the USSR nor is he a capitalist now that he is President of Russia. He is simply a shrewd opportunist who's only real goal is personal power and wealth as well as destruction of the United States.

Putin learned that the only thing the GOP cares about is personal benefit so he has developed a system of enriching powerful GOP members as long as they follow his line, which is covertly to destabilize and ultimately destroy the US.

GOP members could not care less about communism, capitalism, democracy or the United States. They will work alongside Putin to undermine American democracy as long as (they think) it benefits them personally. Now that Russia (or at least its oligarchs) is wealthy enough to pay off and offer political support to GOP members, they love Russia.

It's that simple. There is nothing complicated about it at all. The GOP is for whatever offers them them the most power and wealth, especially if it involves taking it away from others.