Putin holds first talks with West

Vladimir Putin entered talks Friday around Syria's fate after an intervention that ensured Russia's role as a major player no matter what the outcome.

In the space of a few days, Russian airstrikes in Syria and Putin's diplomatic maneuvering at the UN first raised hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough - then brought fears of a new proxy war with the West. And they have suddenly overshadowed a Paris summit Friday meant to focus on the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia fighter jets have kept up a sustained rhythm of airstrikes since Wednesday. They carried out 18 sorties in the past 24 hours, including 10 overnight in which seven sites were bombed, the Defense Ministry said Friday.