disputing moscow s claim that it was pulling back some forces. the official also said that 7000 troops have been added to the border in recent days. we will have much more with former u.s. ambassador to ukraine, william taylor, a little later on. meanwhile, here at home, covid cases are falling. more states are dropping their mask mandates. the latest, michigan. an nbc news reports the cdc could release new mask guidance is later this week. today, the agency was still sounding notes of caution. we want to give people a break from things like mask-wearing, where these metrics are better, have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen. if and when we update our guidance, we will communicate that clearly. with that, let s bring in our lead off guest on this wednesday night, philip rucker, pulitzer prize winner senior washingto correspondant