Donald Trump has privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russian territory, even asking Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons, according to people briefed on the discussions.

Japan had initially planned the F-35Bs to support amphibious operations, but the initial six jets missed the target March delivery period.

Donald Trump privately urged Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow, if supplied with advanced US weapons, signalling a pivotal policy shift in the war and raising stakes for Nato and Kremlin escalation.

The USS Newport News arrived in Iceland this week as the US looks to the Arctic with increasing concern amid growing Russian military activity.

Britain and France are deepening their nuclear weapons co-operation to respond jointly should European allies come under 'extreme' threat