Putin has vested interest in Syria. Putin has protected the Syrian government and will continue to do so. He can't do it through military action, so he will do it by pretending to be the heroic peace maker. Though his action, which was quit effective by the way, he made us look like tools, made our president look like a douche, and made Russia look like they are becoming the good guys.
Let's not forget that everything he said was sanctimonious hypocritical horseshit. ?The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not. Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. " So, where was that law when he invaded Georgia?
This is nothing more than Putin helping himself, and trying to look like a good guy doing it. Most people are fucking dumb asses and believe anything they read, so all I can say is he played it well.