In their first phone call since Trump won the Nov 8 election, they have agreed to "channel" relations between Russia and the United States and "combine efforts to tackle international terrorism and extremism".
"The importance of creating a solid basis for bilateral ties was underscored, in particularly by developing the trade-economic component," the Kremlin said in its statement on Monday.
The two men will maintain contact by phone and seek to meet each other in person, the statement said.
Trump will take office on Jan 20, replacing Barack Obama whose relations with Putin have become tense over various issues including Syria and Ukraine.