Putin's war on Ukraine is having a devastating economic impact. Countries across Europe face spiralling prices and shrinking markets. Guests: Katja Gloger (Russia expert), Vendeline von Wedekind (The Economist), Vladimir Esipov (DW)

Following independence in 1991, Ukraine's economic development was hamstrung by corruption, capital flight and a lack of reforms. Recent improvements are now being threatened by Russia's war in the country.

In the three weeks since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, more than 3 million people have been forced to flee their homes to seek refuge abroad. To discuss parallels with previous conflicts, we speak to writer and anthropologist Maggie Paxson.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is warning that Russia's war in Ukraine will disrupt commerce and clog up supply chains, slashing economic growth and pushing prices sharply higher around the globe.

Amid supermarket food rationing, a truck drivers' strike over petrol prices and rising inflation in Spain, the country's economy minister tells FRANCE 24 that it's "essential" for Madrid to be allowed to take measures to bring electricity prices down. "We're working with the Commission to have an authorisation to decouple our energy market and thus stop this price increase […] It doesn't make sense that Spanish and Portuguese citizens do not benefit from the fact that we have for instance at least 50 percent of our generation from renewables. This is very cheap and clean energy and our citizens should benefit from these low prices," Nadia Calviño explains.

As the war in Ukraine continues, Europe is facing its fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. With the majority being women and children, there are growing concerns that they're a target for sex traffickers. Annette Young talks to Céline Schmitt from the UNHCR. Also how women villagers in Niger are being educated about the role they can play in the fight against jihadists.

Costa Rica is considered a model country in Central America. But the pandemic and corruption have exacerbated inequality and poverty.

The war in Ukraine means a worsening of Poland’s economic outlook, an increase in inflation and possible stagflation. But it also means a big hole in the country’s labor market is being filled.

As more Ukrainians flee the Russian invasion, European governments are trying to meet the initial cost of supporting those refugees. One estimate puts the figure at $30 billion for this year alone. In this special show, we examine how a refugee crisis impacts the economy of host countries. Economist Emmanuelle Auriol from the Toulouse School of Economics shares her insights. We also speak to the founder of SEP, a group that's giving women refugees at the Jerash Camp in Jordan a fresh start through embroidery.

The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's economic output will almost halve this year, slumping 45% as a result of the war with Russia. DW discussed that with Dmytro Los, chairman of Ukraine Business & Trade Association.

Beating expectations, Chinese economy grows 4.8% in first quarter of 2022. Over the first three months of the year, China's economy expanded at an annual rate of nearly 5 percent when compared to the same stretch last year. But as Covid-19 lockdowns roll on, the country's annual growth target looks hard to reach.

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have outlined differing visions for the French economy ahead of Sunday's election. The presidential candidates want to tackle the top issue for French voters: the rising cost of living. Daniela Ordonez, Chief French Economist at Oxford Economics, breaks down the different proposals and what they would cost the French state.