The expulsion of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia from the Cominform represented a crucial turning point in post-World War II Eastern European politics. The ideological rift began to widen noticeably after the war, as the Soviet Union sought to consolidate its influence over Eastern Bloc nations. Josip Broz Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia, advocated for a more independent approach to communism, which increasingly contradicted Stalin's vision for a unified communist ideology. Tito's refusal to bow to Soviet pressure set the stage for increasing tension between the two leaders. In June 1948, the Cominform made a formal decision to expel the Yugoslav Communist Party, citing a supposed deviation from socialist principles as a core reason for the decision. The backdrop to this expulsion involved not only ideological differences but also increasing national pride and the quest for sovereignty from Soviet domination. This marked the first public fallout between a major communist leader and Stalin, challenging the perception of Soviet hegemony in Eastern Europe. After the expulsion, Yugoslavia pursued a path of non-aligned neutrality, which drew the attention of Western powers and altered the dynamics of the Cold War.