Historically, the GOP (think Mitt Romney in 2012) has been tougher on the Russians than the Democrats. It is a tribute of sorts to the power Donald Trump wields over his party that this situation has completely changed; GOP members of Congress now routinely parrot Russian talking points about Ukraine in order to defend him. Putin has to be thrilled.
When they are called on this, they get very defensive. In particular, Mitch McConnell clearly hates being called “Moscow Mitch.”
So how should the Democrats deal with this state of affairs? By keeping it up. Call Moscow Mitch “Moscow Mitch” at every opportunity. Try to think of a catchy nickname for Lindsey Graham. I haven’t come up with a plausible contender to date, but perhaps someone with more imagination than I have can succeed where I have failed.
If they hate it, too bad. They’re effectively selling out their country in their desperate effort to keep the man on golf cart, and themselves, in power. They have to pay the price for that.