You can set your watch by it: A sub-zero winter, a deadline over unpaid gas bills between Russia and its former Soviet neighbour Ukraine, and a shutdown of the network that supplies much of Eastern Europe. Can the mighty Russia be trusted to keep supplies to the EU flowing?

With Russia supplying around 25% of Europe's gas, it is little surprise that EU members are frustrated and deeply concerned about putting all their energy eggs in one basket and relying on Moscow to heat homes and offices. The spat between the Kremlin and Kiev at the turn of the year is just the latest in a catalogue of rows over owed roubles, pricing contracts and accusations that Ukraine has been syphoning off gas destined for Europe.

This is all begs the question: why does Europe need the likes of Russia for such a substantial chunk of its gas needs? It's a country with gargantuan hydrocarbon reserves but the idea that bosses at the state-controlled Gazprom can swith off the tap at any point is enough to send shivers down the spines of EU leaders. Bulgaria, for instance, was one country that was without gas for days as temperatures plummeted. Indeed, some nations in Eastern Europe rely on Russia for all of their gas.

Cynics accuse Mosow of using its vast energy reserves as a political weapon ever since Ukraine's pro-west government came to power a few years ago. The ordinary people who caught up in this on-going spat just want Russia to prove itself to be a reliable and stable supplier. It's an extremely volatile position but the Kremlin is keen to stress to anyone who will listen that it is a trustworthy supplier. Let's see what happens next winter.

What are your views on the situation? I would love to hear what you have to say.