Exxon CEO Tillerson praised by Russia ahead of possible secretary of state job

Donald Trump's favoured pick for the secretary of state job, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, has been praised by a spokesperson for the Russian government.

The Kremlin pointed towards the oil corporation boss's "professionalism", after reports that president-elect Trump is said to favour Tillerson for one of the highest posts in his administration.

Tillerson has forged close ties with Russia through Exxon business interests in the country, and is said to have a good working relationship with president Vladimir Putin.

Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow on Monday that Tillerson's work in Russia is evidence that he would make a great secretary of state.

"On account of his work as the head of one of the largest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives more than once," Peskov said. "He fulfills his responsibilities in a highly professional manner."

Despite Russian blessing for the appointment, Tillerson would still be a controversial pick for the highly important position of secretary of state, due to his connections with Russia and the oil industry.

Trump has already made several choices from major Wall Street banks despite threatening to "drain the swamp" of business interests in Washington during his successful election campaign.

Relations between Russia and the United States have been frosty due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, and signs are that the president-elect will aim to repair that relationship, despite further complications regarding repeated accusations that Russia-sponsored hackers have breached accounts of both Republicans and Democrats.