In 2018, Romney was trying to get elected to the Senate. He's also always been a little detached from reality.
Ryan had plenty of people to listen to if he wanted advice. Why would he pick Romney of all people? Sure, they ran together, but they were never particularly close.
And Ryan checked out. He lost interest. He didn't need to be part of any stupid plot. Just not caring and not doing anything would have been enough.
Maybe even that wouldn't have been necessary. If Paul Ryan exerted himself in 2018 would anybody really have listened or cared? With some people, it doesn't really matter if they exert themselves or not. Nobody cares.
So but Ryan is still a puppet master. Even on FoxNews, just lurching further to the left since he got on the board. Romney I think that later it will be discovered that he is deeper into this Ukraine mess then first believed. Wouldn’t doubt Ryan has a price of the action.