"WASHINGTON — Rex W. Tillerson, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, whose extensive deal-making for the energy giant has plunged him into global politics from Yemen to Russia, is expected to be offered the secretary of state post this weekend by President-elect Donald J. Trump, according to two people close to Mr. Trump’s transition team.

Mr. Tillerson has close ties with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, whom he has known for more than two decades. Russia awarded Mr. Tillerson its Order of Friendship in 2013, the year before Washington’s relationship with Moscow sank into a deep freeze over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its shadow war in eastern Ukraine.

Relations with Russia have grown only more troubled since American intelligence agencies formally determined shortly after the November election that Russia had taken steps intended to help Mr. Trump win."

David E. Sanger, Maggie Haberman and Clifford Krauss report for the New York Times December 10, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Rex Tillerson, an Aggressive Dealmaker Whose Ties With Russia May Prompt Scrutiny" (New York Times) [3]

"Exxon's Rex Tillerson, Leading Climate Villain, To Be Named Secretary Of State" (Mashable) [4]