NEWSWATCH: “In Moscow, Trump’s tapping of Tillerson lifts hope of U.S. rapprochement; Russian experts know ExxonMobil CEO and Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson well, and see Trump’s selection of him as a signal that genuine detente is a possibility.” – Christian Science Monitor/Fred Weir
“It’s a rarity for Moscow to be enthusiastic over a US president’s choice for secretary of State. It certainly wasn’t the case for either of the past two secretaries, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. … Trump’s decision … to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson is proving to be a pleasant surprise to Russia. … the nomination … seems evidence to Russians close to the Kremlin that the new administration will move seriously to implement … Trump’s sketchy campaign promises about restoring good relations. … Tillerson took charge of Exxon’s operations in Russia in 1998, and navigated … major difficulties after … the Kremlin demanded that … oil-and-gas deals be revised in favor of … Gazprom and Rosneft. In 2011, as Exxon CEO, he negotiated a long-range, multi-billion dollar joint venture with Rosneft to explore for oil in Russia’s Arctic. … Putin … has met frequently with Tillerson [and] awarded him the highest honor Russia can bestow on a foreigner, The Order of Friendship ….”