IMF cuts global growth forecast over Ukraine war

Economic gains made after recovery from Covid pandemic could be erased, says expert

• IMF tells states to protect vulnerable people when tackling Covid debt

The International Monetary Fund has cut its global growth forecasts because of the war in Ukraine, warning that Russia's invasion could lead to the fragmentation of the world economy into rival blocs.

In a half-yearly update, the IMF said prospects had worsened significantly" in the past three months as it reduced its growth estimate for 2022 from 4.4% to 3.6%.