MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia does not expect North Korea to respond to United Nations sanctions in a way that would escalate tensions, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying on Thursday.

The U.N. Security Council resolution may vote as early as Friday on a draft resolution which aims to punish North Korea for conducting a nuclear test last month by hitting its meager overseas finances.

“The resolution is being adopted in order to solve the problem, and not to whip up the situation,” the source told Itar-Tass. “We don’t expect any actions to follow, including from North Korea, that would lead to an escalation of tension.”

North Korea has previously threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile unless the Security Council apologizes for punishing it for an April rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised long-range missile test.