ROME -- A troop of 140 Italian soldiers will be sent to the Latvian border with Russia under a NATO mission, yet the decision has been met with a barrage of criticism, Il Messaggero reported.

 The mission shall eventually see 4,000 troops deported to the border between Latvia and Russia, led by Canada and supported by the UK, USA and Germany.

 The move has not been immediately accepted by some, as the Five Star Movement party referred to the decision as a “deranged choice”, Il Messagero reported Saturday. Tensions with Moscow are also running high since the news of the mission, to be carried out next May.

 Nevertheless, Rome insists that relations with Russia shall always be upheld, as Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni claimed, “this decision does not affect our intention to maintain an ongoing dialogue with Russia.”

 Renzi responded to criticism of the policy, joking, “according to some people it would be like an invasion of Russia?”, as Gentiloni ironically retaliated, “with only 140 soldiers…”

 The efforts to diffuse the situation have not been entirely successful however. Beppe Grillo for example, Italian actor and political activist, stated on his blog, “this is an inconsiderate action against national interests…exposing Italy to the drama of war, taking the country back 30 years and heightening new walls with Russia.”

 Matteo Salvini, leader of the Lega Nord party, said, “arms should be used against Isis instead.”

 Most prominent critic of all, Moscow are in complete opposition, stating, “this policy is destructive. It’s not about fighting against our common threats, but it is an underlying way of estranging our country.”

 Supporters of the idea are defiant however, insisting that the move is done with good intentions. The Italian Minister of Defense, Roberta Pinotti, said, “it is a temporary measure, proposed by NATO for countres neighbouring Russia.”

 Gentiloni stands his ground on the subject, firmly advocating the policy. He claimed, “it is not an aggressive policy, but one of security, reassurance and defense of the border.”

 sw