As western powers continue to express worry over Russia’s role in Syria, the Presidents of France and Russia are set to hold talks in Paris on Friday.

The meeting was initially called to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine, but these are expected to be overshadowed by the crisis in Syria.

The French military, like the United States (US), is targeting Islamic State (IS) fighters with air strikes, but the US says Russia is carrying out random strikes against the Syrian opposition.

Russia however said it is targeting the same groups as the US-led coalition.

Russia said it carried out eight strikes overnight, adding that it had hit 12 Islamic State (IS) positions in 24 hours.