MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. The Kremlin expects that the new US Secretary of State will show professionalism and a constructive attitude, regardless of who will hold office, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"The only thing needed is the readiness to show a constructive attitude and to demonstrate professionalism," Peskov said, commenting on the mass media reports that ExxonMobil’s CEO Rex Tillerson could become the new US top diplomat.
"This does not concern personally Mr. Tillerson, this concerns everyone who occupies a post in the presidential administration," he said. "We hope this will be so."
Peskov stressed that Tillerson has not been nominated to be the US Secretary of State so far. "At least, I haven’t seen this news," he said.
Moscow’s relations with Tillerson
The Kremlin spokesman said that Tillerson is known in Moscow. As the CEO of one of the world’s largest oil companies, he had contacts with Russian representatives many times.
"He fulfills his duties rather professionally, and a large amount of mutually beneficial projects with our companies was planned. Unfortunately, a range of these projects were not implemented," Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Tillerson’s good relation to Russia as a businessman and as a potential Secretary of State is a completely different thing. "This is a big difference - being the Secretary of State and being the head of even a very big company and that’s why any sympathies certainly recede into the background."
Asked why the CEO of ExxonMobil was awarded Russia’s Order of Friendship, the spokesman said this award is traditionally given for an activity in developing cooperation in any particular area and contribution to the development of good international relations.
Peskov recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin has held business meetings with Tillerson and his partners several times.
Russian-US cooperation
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that the US and Russia play a special role in ensuring global security and stability.
"That’s why, certainly, cooperation in security, in disarmament processes, non-proliferation (of weapons), the fight against terrorism, and not only against terrorism but with all new challenges of the 21th century, is of special importance," he said. "We sought and seek mutually beneficial and equal cooperation in those areas that are interesting for our countries."