President Putin has welcomed a new relationship with America based on 'equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs', following a phone conversation with president-elect Donald Trump.

The incoming president spoke last night with Vladimir Putin, who has challenged U.S. policy on a variety of fronts and whose government U.S. officials have said tried to influence the election in Trump's favor.

The leaders also agreed to a face-to-face meeting, marking a thaw in relations between the two countries.

According to the Kremlin, the two leaders agreed that Russo-American relations were in an 'extremely unsatisfactory state' and pledged to improve the situation.

Trump's glowing remarks about Putin coupled with suspicions that Moscow used cyber attacks to gain him an advantage in the election has put the relationship of the two leaders under scrutiny.

Incoming US president Donald Trump has agreed to a face-to-face meeting with Russia's Vladamir Putin, marking a thaw in relations between the two countries

News of the call broke just as President Obama was preparing to address reporters before leaving on his final overseas trip, which takes him to Greece and Peru.

Putin and Trump agreed to work towards 'constructive cooperation,' the Kremlin said, according to a Reuters report.

The men plan to stay in touch by phone and also will meet face-to-face, in a new phase of a key relationship certain to have ramifications around the globe.

Russia caused an international crisis with its incursion into Crimea, a move that subjected Putin's regime to European, international, and U.S. sanctions. Sanctions the administration slapped on his regime even targeted some of the oligarchs close to Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with President-elect Donald Trump, and discussed 'constructive cooperation,' according to the Kremlin

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Russia under Putin sent arms and air power into Syria to bolster the regime of President Bashar al Assad, even as the U.S. and a coalition of allies is supporting rebels fighting his government as well.

Trump hailed Putin throughout the campaign, including during the presidential debates.

News of the call broke just as President Obama was preparing to address reporters before leaving on his final overseas trip, which takes him to Greece and Peru

'I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia … He does have an 82% approval rating,' Trump said at an NBC forum.

Host Matt Lauer noted that Putin had annexed Crimea, invaded Ukraine, and backed Assad, among other things.

'Well, nobody knows that for a fact. But do you want me to start naming some of the things that President Obama does at the same time? … I think when he [Putin] calls me brilliant, I’ll take the compliment, OK?' Trump said, responding to a quote of Putin lauding the GOP candidate.

Trump hailed Putin repeatedly during the presidential campaign

Trump hailed Putin's leadership during the campaign and compared it favorably with how he said President Obama led the U.S.

TRANSMISSION FROM VLADIMIR: Trump and Putin spoke by phone, according to the Kremlin

SADDLE UP: The two leaders spoke about joining forces against the world's No. 1 enemy – 'international terrorism and extremism' – the Kremlin said

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Trump also said during the campaign that Putin had been a 'leader.'

'Certainly in that system, he’s been a leader, far more than our president has been,' Trump said.

It remains to be seen whether Trump will be more open to Putin having freer reign to have a sphere of influence in eastern Europe. Asked this summer about defending NATO allies, Trump said, 'If they fulfill their obligations to us ... the answer is yes.'

According to the Kremlin, the two men agreed current U.S.-Russia ties are 'unsatisfactory,' the Associated Press reported, and spoke about cooperation on a 'broad range of issues.'

The agreed to fight agains the No. 1 enemy, 'international terrorism and extremism' and a solution of the conflict in Syria – which U.S. officials believe Russia has helped prolong through it's support of Assad and bombing campaign in Aleppo.