After Albania's leader, Enver Hoxha, established the country's independence with the support of the Soviet Union, Xoxe was arrested, tortured[dubious – discuss] and executed.

[1] Negovan (today Flampouro/Φλάμπουρο) had a majority of Orthodox Albanians, many of whom sided with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and a minority of Aromanians (Vlachs).

After Xoxe ordered the arrest of moderates with anti-Yugoslav sentiments, including Sejfulla Malëshova, Tito attacked Hoxha in a letter to the Albanian Politburo.

Hoxha responded by traveling to Moscow with Nako Spiru and returned with a formal trade agreement with the Soviet Union without consulting Tito.

The Soviet Union began to increase Moscow’s presence in the country, spending specialists in mining and oil refining.

[9][8] Tito planned to send two army divisions into Albania under the pretense of protecting it from a Greek invasion, a move that angered Moscow.