Nixon normalized relations with China and Democrats have seen fit to make sure the only thing he is remembered for is Watergate.
There's no doubt Trump is going easy on Russia because he wants better relations with the country, which is why he was pissed that Jeff Sessions allowed himself to be bullied into recusing himself from the Russia investigation which opened the doors for Mueller's probe.
Were any Democrats pissed when Obama sought better ties with Russia? Venezuela? Iran? Cuba?
What about China's part in hacking our country and stealing our intellectual property and government and military secrets? How come no one is getting pissed off at them? Oh, right, because the narrative the Democrats wanted to go with is that Russia is responsible for Hillary losing. How silly of me to keep forgetting that.