You could just as easily argue that Kolomoskyi was/is paying protection money to Joe. The corruption certainly has the character of a protection racket. The subordinate gangsters and warlords of Ukraine provide a cut to the gangsters who front NATO. At the moment Kolomoskyi has legal troubles in the US, most likely a reminder from Washington to Zelenskyi who the ultimate boss is or at least a means to incentivise loyalty and prevent Kolomoskyi from switching sides.
You could just as easily argue that Kolomoskyi was/is paying protection money to Joe. The corruption certainly has the character of a protection racket. The subordinate gangsters and warlords of Ukraine provide a cut to the gangsters who front NATO. At the moment Kolomoskyi has legal troubles in the US, most likely a reminder from Washington to Zelenskyi who the ultimate boss is or at least a means to incentivise loyalty and prevent Kolomoskyi from switching sides.