As Kosovo commemorated the 25th anniversary of its liberation from former Yugoslavia on June 12, a statue of former British prime minister Tony Blair, a key figure during the Nato operation that ended the 1998-99 war, was unveiled in the city of Ferizaj.

The statue was intended to honour Blair, but in the days since its unveiling pictures have been widely shared on social media with users commenting on its uncanny likeness to Australian actor Jason Donovan, best known for his role in the soap Neighbours. 

One wrote on social networks, "That's Jason Donovan..."

The statue, crafted by sculptor Agon Qosa, stands in Blair's namesake square adjacent to Martyrs' Square, symbolising his legacy intertwined with Kosovo's liberation history.

“Among foreigners he [Tony Blair] is the most welcomed person among us. With this joy, we decided to erect this statue," Qosa said.

During the unveiling ceremony, Agim Aliu, the mayor of Ferizaj, described the newly erected statue of Blair as a symbol of Kosovo's enduring freedom and pride, Kosova Press reported.

Former British press secretary Alastair Campbell took to X network to comment on the unveiling of Blair's statue in Kosovo. He remarked: “Statue of Tony Blair unveiled in Kosovo … not sure where if anywhere statues will be raised to any of the five PMs who have taken our country backwards in the last 14 years.”

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, during a meeting with Blair on June 10, acknowledged his pivotal role in Kosovo's history.

Blair visited Pristina on June 10, just two days before the unveiling ceremony, the day marking the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serbian forces, which occurred after a 78-day Nato bombing campaign that concluded the conflict between Serbian forces and fighters from the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

“His legacy echoes through time and generations. Sir Tony Blair, a champion of our freedom,” Osmani stated on X network.

During the visit, Osmani gifted a crystal stone to Blair. “A crystal stone for the great friend of Kosovo Tony Blair, in continuation of the tradition of the Historic President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova,” she said.

During a speech delivered at the parliament of Kosovo on June 10, Blair expressed his pride in advocating for the small country’s liberation. 

"It's a great honour to be here today, and I'm deeply grateful for your hospitality. On this day, an agreement was reached to free Kosovo from invading forces. Kosovo finally regained its freedom. Its people could once again dare to dream and hope," Blair remarked.

Kosovo is currently recognised by 114 UN member states, but five EU members have so far declined to recognise the new country since it unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Relations between Belgrade and Pristina remain tense, although the two sides are required to normalise their relations before either can progress towards EU accession.