Russia ha always wanted a warm water port and always had congenial relations with Syria. Considered them an ally,if such a thing is possible with kgb pootie.
I think Putin's looking much further than just a warm port...He is a man to be reckoned with and knows currently there isn't any to take him on. With Obama neutralized he's going to get as much of his own agenda done in these next couple years, and that in the face of the Us....because he can, unfortunately...and he'll strut it when it's to his advantage to do so.
Russia BTW is in business to move arms and whatever it can get it's hands on to other nations, including Syria....N.Korea and any others he can put in his back pocket....and He does.