The Russians don’t care about which currency, as long as they’re paid. So if the Europeans need to virtue signal by claiming to not be paid in Rubles, it’s fine with Russia, as long as the money makes it to Moscow in a form that assures that Russia actually receives the money.
Journalism of our times:
99% of articles on ruble payment for gas never explain that the issue is Russia wasn’t going to get paid at all under the status quo.