Ronald Reagan opposed the 'Evil Empire' and stood against them, and Republicans can argue he helped bring down the tyranny of the USSR. Just 4 years ago Mitt Romney said Russian was America's top geopolitical foe, and he was mocked by the Democrats. It is shameful that Republicans now cowtow to Putin and deny the reality, against all evidence, that he is not an ally but a foe of the United States, human rights and democracy.
Ronald Reagan supported Israel and South Africa, so don't you think he quite possibly had a different opinion of "evil" than you?