This is always used with something that is near to the speaker. This is often used with 'here' to indicate the location near to the speaker. (Man pointing to a book in his hand) This is my favorite book! This is my dog Frank right here next to my side! That That is always used with something that is away from the speaker. That is often used with 'there' to indicate the location away from the speaker. (Man pointing to a person on the other side of the street) That is my friend over there next to Peter. That is my car parked under the building at the end of the street. http://esl.about.com/od/grammarforbeginners/a/This-That-These-Those.htm

Is this a serious question?

this = этот / that = тот

That can mean "I have a problem that I need to work out." "This solution is not working." A spatial relationship is not always the case.