Since February 2022, Germany has been waging an unprecedented economic war against Russia, based on the expectation expressed by its foreign minister that this will lead to Russia's "ruin." Drawing on American literature, the author examines "sanctions" as the "economic weapon of modern warfare" (Nicholas Mulder). He highlights the dual nature of this weapon. The "external economic war" is increasingly turning into an "internal economic war." On one hand, the growing danger of such economic wars escalating into shooting wars is outlined. On the other hand, the opportunities are sketched out to initiate a movement against the looming third world war that could lead to a revolutionary transformation for the better, unlike in the two previous world wars, before a world war occurs. This could not only prevent such a final world war but also open the door for the working classes to embark on a third European attempt at socialism.