KIEV, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Joint military exercises of 16 countries aimed at practicing international peacekeeping operations kicked off on Monday, said the press office of Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

    The tow-week exercises, Sea Breeze 2008, are participated in by thousands of servicemen from the countries including Ukraine, the United States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Macedonia, Lithuania and Turkey.

    The exercises involving warships, planes, helicopters, armored vehicles and various kinds of troops will last until July 26.

    According to reports by local media, anti-NATO protesters have set up camps in the area along the Black Sea coast and held rallies. Several dozen activists in the port city of Odessa held posters reading "No NATO."

    Two years ago, the Sea Breeze 2006 exercise in the Crimea was obstructed by protests, forcing the United States to redeploy the Advantage cargo ship to another location.

    A latest poll showed a majority of Ukrainians oppose NATO membership.

    The Sea Breeze drills have been held annually since 1997.