Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone to Donald Trump, a week after the US real estate mogul's surprise presidential election victory over Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

The Kremlin says the two leaders agreed to work toward constructive co-operation and want to meet in person.

Trump's approving comments about the authoritarian Putin caused controversy during the election campaign and his election comes amid tensions between the countries over Syria and Ukraine.

LISTEN ABOVE: Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, Paul Rogers, spoke with Rachel Smalley about the new Trump/Putin relationship