Kinda related to this, but we know prior to the 2016 Russia hacked the DNC emails and only really released info about them talking shit on/working against Bernie (potentially the most damaging info/most helpful to get Trump elected).
So it isnt far fetched to believe that between the carrot of campaign donations and the stick of leaking sensitive RNC emails Russia was attempting to force the RNC to force a potential Russian asset in power to cripple/break up NATO to continue Russia’s expansion into Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Imagine the lack of support given the invasion of Ukraine if Trump were president. If anything Trump would jump on recognizing the gains as Russian territory.