Vladimir Putin
"Vladimir Putin confirmed his willingness to have a constructive dialogue and to collaborate with the British prime minister about current issues concerning bilateral relations and the international agenda," the Kremlin said in a statement shortly after Mrs May took office.
Mr Putin "stressed the conviction that the preservation and augmentation of the significant potential of Russian-British cooperation in various fields that has been accumulated for a long time is in the fundamental interests of the two countries".
Mr Putin also thanked David Cameron, with whom he at times had a difficult relationship.
"I hope that your rich political experience will be in demand in the future, both in the United Kingdom and in the international community," the statement said.
Last month, Mr Putin seemingly took delight in the former prime minister's EU referendum defeat. Mr Cameron had stated Brexit would be in Russia's interests.
"Statements by the UK Prime Minister, Mr Cameron before this plebiscite where he stated Russia's position, have no basis and never did," Mr Putin said.
"I believe that this is nothing more than a flawed attempt to influence the public opinion in his own country.
"As we see, it didn't even have the desired... result.
"I have already said that we never interfered, never spoke about this, and acted in my opinion very properly.
"And of course we closely followed what was going on, but did not affect this process and did not even attempt to do so."
The Kremlin has said it hopes for an improved "understanding" with post-Brexit Britain, but played down suggestions that the result of the EU referendum would benefit Russian foreign policy.
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