MOSCOW, November 22. /ITAR-TASS/. Leader of Civic Platform and owner of the ONEXIM Group Mikhail Prokhorov chose not to comment on the purchase of Uralkali’s share.

“I am not involved in the business now, I am involved in political activities,” he told reporters on Friday.

On Monday, Itar-Tass said Mikhail Prokhorov’s ONEXIM Group had published a statement on its purchase of Uralkali’s shares from Suleiman Kerimov Foundation, an organization owned by Senator Suleiman Kerimov.

The sides planned to close the deal shortly. The deal does not require permissions from the regulator. The parties have agreed not to reveal the cost, the statement read.

A source close to the deal told Itar-Tass the deal had been based on the earlier estimation of the company of $19-20 billion. Thus, the packet may cost $4.12-4.35 billion.

“The purchase of Uralkali is a long-term investment in the company which is unique in its market position and place in the global economy,” ONEXIM director general Dmitry Razumov said. “We are sure the potash market in future will develop positively, and Uralkali as a leading producer in the world and a key player in the market has a major potential for added value. The ONEXIM Group also has big experience in managing big industrial facilities and in raising share value of public companies.