You need only believe one *quite plausible likelihood* and it ALL makes sense: Putin has kompromat on Trump.
1) He wishes to lift Russia sanctions *for no good reason*.
2) He constantly praises Putin *for no good reason*.
3) He ignores our intelligence agencies on Russia's election interference *for no good reason*.
Now, add in the idea that either Putin has kompromat on #Trump and/or Trump still sees a Russian Trump Tower (or promised one) in the future. 1 - 4 make perfect sense.
Some members of the RNC did indeed know of how #Trump's campaign was being aided by Russia, and kept it quiet, and thus, #Putin has kompromat on them too.