Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that the U.S. was trying to pull Russia into a conflict it does not want with Ukraine. Meanwhile, we’ve heard mixed messages from the Ukraine government about the U.S.’s stance.

Plus, trying to solve the affordable housing crisis in fast-growing cities.
And, football’s huge news day.

Guests: Axios' Zach Basu, Danielle Chemtob, and Jeff Tracy.

Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Julia Redpath, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Lydia McMullen-Laird, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Reality check on the Russia-Ukraine crisis