interests with deep relationship in the gulf and middle east, asia, and russia. >> he's much more than a business executive. he's a world-class player. >> reporter: tillerson having deep ties, especially to russia, and vladimir putin, and receiving the order of friendship in 2012, a high honor bestowed to him personally from putin. >> to me, a great advantage is, he knows many of the players. and he knows them well. he does massive deals in russia. >> reporter: but that's seen as an asset to president-elect trump is a problem for some on capitol hill. >> i have, obviously, concerns of reports of his relationship with vladimir putin, who is a thug and a murderer. >> reporter: marco rubio tweeting, quote, being a friend of vladimir is not an attribute i am hoping for from a secretary of state. meantime, tillerson's views on climate change in opposition to the president he is about to serve. >> we will cancel this deal so that our companies can compete. >> tillerson supported the paris climate change agreement reached earlier this year, and has