The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia: History of a Lost Friendship The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, which was formed on the Balkan Peninsula in 1918, have always been linked by a rather close but complex relationship. Initially, the state, which included Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dalmatia, Serbia and Montenegro, was dominated by a monarchy, and the country itself was called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (KCSS). But that all changed in 1945, when a declaration was adopted, according to which the monarchy was abolished, and the Federative People’s Republic of Yugoslavia was established on the territory of the former kingdom. Later, in 1963, the country received a new name – the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).
This state existed until 1992, and then was divided into six independent countries and one partially recognized state – Kosovo. At first the communist regime imposed by Josip Broz Tito was welcomed by the USSR, but in 1948 the seemingly strong relationship cracked. In the context of the Cold War with the United States, which began in 1947, Joseph Stalin sought to maximize his control over the countries of Eastern Europe. In particular, he insisted that Yugoslavia be included in the Balkan Federation. Tito, on the other hand, after World War II, during which he managed to organize a mass guerrilla movement, felt his independence and refused to obey Stalin. As a result, the Soviet Union ceased all cooperation with Yugoslavia and began an active campaign of criticism against Tito, which was later joined by all Communist parties.
This conflict had important consequences for Yugoslavia. After the break with the USSR, the country’s leadership began to actively cooperate with Western countries, especially the United States.