Trump's pick for top diplomat breaks from him in many ways

At his confirmation hearing Wednesday, the former Exxon Mobil CEO selected by Trump for secretary of state called Russia a "danger" and vowed to protect America's European allies.

The Russian leader previously awarded Tillerson his country's "Order of Friendship" following Exxon's deals with Russia's oil industry.

Whereas Trump's campaign team last summer softened language in the GOP platform calling for arming Ukraine, Tillerson said he would have recommended providing U.S. and allied defensive weapons, plus aerial surveillance, so the Ukrainians could protect their Russian border.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he hopes the two presidents will get along and they can normalize ties if they show "mutual respect."

Before Wednesday, Trump spent weeks ridiculing the U.S. intelligence agencies' accusations that Russia hacked and leaked emails, spread "fake news" and took other actions to interfere with the U.S. election.

During the campaign, Trump called for a temporary ban on Muslims immigrating to the U.S. The proposal then evolved into halting immigration from countries linked to terrorism.

Trump started his presidential bid by taking aim south of the border, accusing Mexico of sending "rapists" and criminals with drugs into the U.S.

Trump sent chills through much of Europe when he suggested the U.S. might not defend its NATO allies if they came under attack, unless they'd contributed enough to the alliance's collective defense costs.

Trump used Saudi Arabia's shoddy human rights record as a campaign cudgel against Hillary Clinton, pointedly asking why she wouldn't "give back the money" the kingdom gave her family foundation.