a cold winter in europe last year means stored gas levels now are much lower than normal. there's also been increased demand from asia — especially china — for liquefied natural gas. that's eaten into supply too. and this is the result on gas prices. this is hitting fuel bills for both households and companies across europe. and some argue russia could do more to help. they can be more helpful and they can easily increase the gas it is sending to europe by 15%. the accusation that russia is restricting supply — connecy to the state—backed energy company gazprom and a pipeline to the eu, nord stream 2. that's a pipeline that's been completed — but not yet switched on. here's one energy analyst. they can supply more gas to europe but refuses to do that saying that we will do that if you accept gas terms of handling this. it is very simple. it is pure black