Russia's Tillerson Praise Underscores Debate Over Trump's State Pick

Donald Trump's pick of Exxon Mobil Corp. chief Rex Tillerson for secretary of state won quick praise from a key foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, evoking concerns the president-elect's critics have raised about whether he will be too accommodating toward Moscow.Exxon's chief executive officer is a "very great professional in his sphere" who is "well-known to Russian officials and was actively engaged in business cooperation," Yuri Ushakov, a former ambassador to the U.S. who's one of Putin's closest aides on foreign policy, told reporters Tuesday in Moscow.Ushakov's comments add to statements made in recent days by Putin advisers and aides. Sergei Markov, a consultant to Putin's staff, on Sunday called Trump's emerging Cabinet a "fantastic team" filled with "people that Russia can do business with." Tillerson's possible elevation would be a "sensation,' said Alexei Pushkov, a member of the defense and security committee of parliament's upper house.  Continue reading...