I think Putin fears Trump and Cruz, but also wants a challenge. They are alphas. Putin knows that he can push Hillary around, and that Sanders would be pushed over easily and give Russia everything they want.
I have no idea how Putin feels about Cruz, but I doubt he is scared of him. But, Putin knows, if Trump were president, he can bully him. Trump would be a bonanza for the Russia.
I don’t know enough about Cruz to know if he is an alpha. Kind of a mixed signal, but he’s not one like Reagan. But Trump is definitely a pajama boy metrosexual wuss.